. • Entomological News AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION OF THE Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. VOLUME XII, 1901. EDITOR : HENRY SKINNER, M. D. PHILIP P. CALVERT, Ph.D., Associate Editor. ADVISORY COMMITTEE: EZRA T. CRESSON. CHARLES A. BLAKE. CHARLES L1EBKCK. PHILIP LAUKKNT. WILLIAM J. FOX. CHARLES W. JOHNSON. PHILADELPHIA: ENTOMOLOGICAL ROOMS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, LOGAN SQUARE. 1901. P. C. STOCKHAUSEN PRINTER 53-55 N. TTH ST., PHILADELPHIA. INDEX TO VOLUME XII. GENERAL SUBJECTS. Academy of Natural Sciences, Entom. Section of 29, 63, 95, 160, 221, 293. American Entomological Soci- ety 28, 63, 127, 191, 325. California Entom. Club .... 293 Cases for collections 160 Doings of Societies 27, 61, 92, 125, 159, 189, 219, 253, 293, 325. Economic Entomology 153, 251, 291 Editorials 20, 55, 84, 119, 148, 180, 210, 245, 284, 318. Entomological Literature 21, 56, 85. 120, 149, i Si, 211, 246, 286,320. Feldman Collecting Social 30, 61, 92, 93, 125, 159, 189, 219, 253,294 Fig, Fertilization of 61 Florida beach, On a 10 Flowers and insects, New Mex- ico 38 Greenhouse Coccidae . . . 231, 310 Harris Club 61, 95, 125, 191, 222, 255 Letters from Thomas Say 110,138, 173, 203, 233, 281, 314. Malaria and mosquitoes .... 296 Montreal, Trip to 199 Mounting insects, New method 136 Newark Entom. Society 27, 63, 96, 128, 192, 256, 327. New Mexico Biological Station 186 , Collecting in 255 , Insects of 38 Notes and News . 25, 89, 119, 158, 185, 218, 285. Nursery inspection 291 Obituary : Clarkson, F. . . . [28 Lugger, 0 192, 222 Priddey, T. G 192 Obituary : Schneider, L. (pi. ix) . . 256 de Selys-Longchamps, E. 32, 33, 158. Staudinger, 0 32 Truman, P. C. .... 327 Over the range in a wagon 1 13, 141 , 163. Packing and shipping insects 158, 187. Personal : Ashmead, W. H. . . . 91 Barrett, O. W 317 Browning, G. W ;S Davis, G. C 90 Fiske, VV. H 157 Hopkins, A. D 41 Hulst, G. D .'5, 32 Johnson, W. G 19 Kemp, S. T 15? Laurent, P 25, 89 Pine trees, Insects injuring 92, 317 Pitcher plants, Insects in 93, 153, 189, 254. Pith for mounting insects 127, 160 Protection of insects 161, 283, 316 ARACHNIDA. Garyphus floridensis 293 Griburius equestris 254 COLEOPTERA. Acanthocinus spp 28 Acmcsodera culta 190 Adranus ccecus 28 Anthonomus disjuuctus . . 295 Anf/ircnus varius 160 Ants, C. associated with ... 28 Asaphes, a synonym 91 Barn, C. found in a 75 * New species. 11 INDEX. Batrisus ione 28 Bryaxis luniger 159 Byrrhus americanus 256 Cicindela eureka* et spp. . . . 307 Cremastochilus canaliculatus . 256 Oychrusspp 133. 19° C. idahoensis* 133 Cydius zicgleri 28 Demetrius atricapillus .... 93 Dromius atriceps 190 Dysmerus basalis 192 Dysphaga tenuipes 221 Epicauta callosa 254 Florida, C. of 10, 28, 236, 238, 239 Hettzrius brunneipennis ... 28 Hibernating C 64 Hydrolius tessellatus 317 Lasioderma serricornis .... 326 Mallodon 62, 93 Meloe americana 64 Necrophilus hydrophiloides . . 263 Necydalis mellitus 254 New Jersey, C. of 64, 92, 159, 190, 254, 295. New Mexico, C. of . . 40, 255 Nisaxis tomentosa 159 Opressus 28 Pasimachus elongates .' . . 327 Passalus cornutus 31 strength of .... .257 striclulation of ... . 279 Pennsylvania, C. of . . . 31, 93, 31? Phaleria te-stacea 3° Platynus albipes 62 P. nivalis 255 Prionus calif ornicus ... .319 Pselaphidse .19° Pselaphus longiclavus . . .64 Schizogenus ferrugineus . . .327 Scolytidae 92,191 Scydmsenidae • nS Sitodrepa panicett 221 Sphtzridium scarabceoides, 158, 209, 256, 296. Stenodoulcs mandibularis . . 93 Strategic antceus .... . 295 * New Subaquatic C . 190 Xantholinus gularis 93 Xenos rossi 90 DIPTERA. Aedes spp. . . .160, 189, 220, 254 Amalopis inconstans 305 Aquatic Psychodid 46 Archytas analis 26 Chcetogeedia crebra 1 8 Chironomus hatteralis* .... 17 Cricoptopus sylvestris 30 Culex pungens 153 Cnterebra spp 293 DoHchopus sphcsristes* .... 44 Drosophila buskii* 18 Florida, D. of 11, 12 Ilelicobia quadrisetosa* . ... 17 Microdon spp 94 Mosquitos eaten by bats . . . 221 hibernating .... 94, 125, 153 Distance traveled by ... 185 larvae in pitcher plants 30, 94, 126, 153, 160, 189. larvae in salt water . . 295, 296 New Mexico, D. of . . . . 39, 293 Pericoma californica* . . 46, 195 P. ocellaris, var. americana* . 194 Phorbia litpitii* 206 Phorid in ant's nest 295 Pipiuiculus houghii 96 Psychodidae 46, 193 Ta china mella 26 Trichopoda spp 294 Typhlopsylla octactena .... 90 X'ariation in venation 297 Zacompsia n. gen 15 Z fulva* 15 HEMIPTERA. Aleurodidae 51 Cicada canalicularis 31 C. hieroglyphica 31, 255 Coccidae, Greenhouse . . 231, 310 Diaspis piricola 27 Florida, H. of 11, 202 species. INDEX. in Lecanium carya; 50 New Jersey, H. of .... 31,255 New Mexico, H. of 40 Pergandiella 89 San Jos^ scale 251 Tettigea hieroglyphica .... 30 Trionymus 89 HYMENOPTERA. Alaska, H. of 325 Andrena knuthina* . . . . . . 74 Andricus cornigerus 94 Ants associated with Coleoptera 28 do. with Diptera 294 Aphasnogaster, Coleoptera as- sociated with 28 Apis spp 285 Bassett Collection ... 326 Bees 4, 15 Blastophaga 61, 62 Ceratina neomexicana*. ... 43 Cresson collection 325 Florida, H. of 237 Formica, Coleoptera associated with 28 Halictus conanthi* 208 Honeybee 285 Indiana, H. of 4 Lasiits, Coleoptera associated with 28 Maine, H. of 4 Megachile in Alaska 325 Monedula 127 Myzine sexcincta 326 New Mexico, H. of 38 Odynerus birenimaculatus . . 94 Pammegischia .viphydricz* . . 278 fillip/a atrocoxalis 26 Plcnoculus davisii 221 Proper names of certain genera 267 Prosopis spp 4, 77, 162 Stic tin 127 Stylopized Polistes 90 LEPIDOPTERA. Agrotis violaris 30, 31 Alypia langtonii 63 * New A. 8 maculaia 63 Anthocharis genidia . . . . 31, 172 Arachnis zuni 209 Argynnis cybele 96 A. tnyrina 125 Arizona, L. of 170 Attacus \_Platy satnia~\ cecropia 45, 76, 191, 218. Bolivia, New L. from 264 California, L. of 170 Callidryas eubule 26 Callimorpha dyarii* 45 Catocala relicla . 31 Cecropia cocoons 45, 76 Chionobas katahdin* . . . 206, 225 C. semidea 161, 283, 316 Chry sophanus hypophleas ... 64 Clisiocampa fragilis 25 Colorado, L. of 115, 118, 142, 143, 166, 168. Device for rearing L 222 for taking moths 169 Euptoieta claudia 91 Femseca tarquinius 293 Florida, L. of .... 180, 202, 238 Haploa spp 79, 97, 221 Heterochroa californica ... 90 Hulst Collection 285 Hymeiiitis andreas* 264 J^asiocauipa medusa 26 Lepisesia ulalmne, var. rachel* 19 Libythea celtis 119 Libythea arthcmis 26 Missouri, L. of 12 Montreal, Collections at . . . . 198 New Jersey, L. of 27, 30, 31, 64, 91. 172, 254, 327. New Mexico, L. of 39, 90 Neonympha areo/ata . . . 254, 293 Piitnphila cusillunia* 267 P. niassasoit 327 Pennsylvania, L. of 31, 91 Philanipelus clisa* 106 Picris occidental}* 18 Salt Lake City, L. at 297 Scolioptcry.v libah i.v 91 species. IV INDEX. Semasia affectalis 317 Sesia scitula 94 Sphinges 12 Sphinx plebeius 30 Spragueia dama 27 Thecla dickiei* 266 T. infrequens* 265 T. martialis 180 Thyridopteryx ephemercefor- mis 304 U. S. National Museum, L. in 120 Utah, L. of 297 Vermont, L. of 26 Yellowstone, L. of 244 Zabrotes subnitens 191 NEUROPTERA. Argia 192 A. trans lata 326 Colors of Odonata, Preserva- tion of 131 Enallagma piscinarium . . . .128 Gomphns plagiatus 28 G. spp. . 65 Maine, Odonata of 178, 196, 239, 269 Neurocordulia Uhleri 191 New Jersey, N. of 28, 128, 191, 254 Pennsylvania, N. of 29 Ptynx appendiculatus 254 Sympetrum vicinum 29 Tachopteryx Thoreyi, nymph and oviposition i Tetragoneuria spinosa . . . .191 Ulula albifrons* 172 U. spp. . . . 172 ORTHOPTERA. Crickets stopping pipes .... 26 Dichopetala pu/chra* 207 Egg-laying of Scudderia . . 295 Florida, O. of . . . . n Mantis religiosa in America . . 18 Neobarrettia n. gen 15 New Jersey, O. of 94 Pink grasshoppers . . 1 29 Tcnodera sin en sis . . 96, 220, 293 Schistocerca spp 294 Scudderia texensis 295 AUTHORS. Ashmead, W. H 277 Babb, G. F 279 Banks, N 172 Blaisdell, F. E 243, 263 Bock, G. W 188 Bradley, J. C 317 Brainerd, D 26 Browning, G. W 297 Bruce, D 19 Brues, C. T 44 Burrison, H. K. . . . . 244 Calvert, P. P. 21, 29, 32, 33, 56, 65, 85, 120, 149, 158, 181, 211, 242, 246, 270, 286, 319, 320. Caffrey, G. W 296 Carpenter, S. C 91, 161 Cockerell, T. D. A. 18, 26, 27, 38, 43, 74, 89, 90, 187, 1 88, 208, 317. Cockerell, W. P 209 Coquillett, D. W. . . . 15, 16, 206 Daggett, F. S 319 Davis, G. C 186 Davis, W. T 76 Dyar, H. G 120 Fall, H. C 307 Fenyes, A 90 Field, W. L. W. 61, 95, 125, 191, 222, 256. Foster, F. H 79, 97 Fox. W. J. 32, 63, 93, no, 267, 285 Girault, A 304 Grinnell, F., Jr 26 Harvey, F. L. . 178, 196, 239, 269 Hinds, \V. E 257 Houghton, C. 0 90, 209 Howard, L. 0 224 Johnson, C. W 305 Johnson, O. B 136 Kellogg. V. L. . . . . . 46 Kemp, S. T. . . . 27, 64, 96 Kincaid, T 193 King, G. B 50, 231, 310 * New species. INDEX. Knab, F . . 91 Koons, B. F 89 Lovell, J. H 4, 162 Luccareni, G. A. . . . 128, 256, 327 Marloff, F 91 Mayer, A. G 219 Merrick, F. A 169, 188 Merrick, H. D 45 Newcomb, H. H. . . 198, 206, 225 Ottolengui, R 283 Pearsall, R. F 158 Rehn, J. A. G 16, 207 Reinick, W. 95, 127, 160, 191, 255, 296. Robertson, C 77 Rowley, R. R 12 Say, T. no, 138, 173, 203, 233, 281 314. Scudder, S. H 129 Skinner, H. . 20, 29, 30, 55, 63, 84, 96, 119, 120, 128, 148, 158, 160, 170, 180, 189, 192, 210, 216, 217, 218, 222, 245, 284, 292, 294, 327. Slingerland, M. V 18 Slosson, A. T. 10, 180, 200, 236, 316 Smith, J. B 153, 253, 293 Smyth, E. A. Jr 106 Snyder, A. J. . . 112, 141, 163, 233 Soule, C. G 45 Stortz, G 192 Viereck, H. L. . . • 325 Webb, J. L 133 Webster, F. M 296 Weeks, A. G., Jr 264 Wenzel, H. W 75 Williamson, E. B i, 131 Woodworth, H. 0 51 Wormsbacher, H 91 i ENT. NEWS, Vol. XII. PI. I. TACHOPTERYX THOREYI. (NYMPH.) ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. VOL. XII. JANUARY, 1901. No. i. CONTENTS: Williamson. — On the Manner of Ovi- position and on the Nymph of Rehn. — A New Genus of Deticinse. . . . 16 Coquillett. — New Species of Diptera.. 16 Tachopteryx Thoreyi i Brnce. — New Variety of Lepisesia. . . . 19 Lovell. — Bees of Maine and Indiana . 4 Slosson.— - On a Florida Beach 10 Rowley. — Notes on Missouri Springs. 12 Coquillett. — A New Genus of Ortalidse 15 Editorial 20 Entomological Literature 21 Notes and News 25 Doings of Societies 27 On the Manner of Oviposition and on the Nymph of Tachopteryx Thoreyi. (ORDER ODONATA.) Plate I. By E. B. WILLIAMSON, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn. Tachoptcrv.\ Tliorcvi Hagen is the only representative in eastern North America of the legion Petalura (Selys ) of the subfamily Gomphinae. This legion has been regarded by late writers as the most primitive of all the Odonata Anisoptera. No nymphs of this legion have hitherto been described, so it is believed that the following description will be particularly welcome. The nymph in question was collected by Mr. D. A. Atkinson, near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, on June 4, 1900. Mr. Atkinson was collecting salamanders in a boggy spot along Squaw Run, a tributary of the Allegheny River in Alleghany County, when he saw the nymph clinging to the trunk of a tree, about t\v<> feet above the mud from which it had recently crawled, as the mud which covered it was not yet dry. This was about 10 A. M . Placed in a box the nymph climbed up one side to a height of 2 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January, about eighteen inches, and the imago emerged at 5 P.M. In the boggy spot where the nymph was collected, at that time the only surface water was that which was retained in small depressions, such as the tracks of cattle, among the roots of the sedges and grasses. On July 15, 1900, Mr. J. L. Graf observed another female ovipositing in this same swale. She alighted among the dense grasses and placed the eggs among the roots or in wet decaying vegetable matter above the surface of the water. She would raise and lower her abdomen eight or ten times in one place, then fly to another spot. The time was between 10 and n A.M. On June 23, 1900, at Ohio Pyle, Mr. Graf discovered still a third female of this species oviposit- ing. A mere thread of water flowed along the railroad track from several small springs. The bed of this small stream was composed of cinders and sand. The dragonfly alighted in the grass near this stream and placed her eggs in a small depression in the cinders. This depression contained not more than a table- spoonful of water. Into this small basin she thrust her abdomen a number of times at the rate of fifteen or twenty times a minute. Mr. Graf caught her as she started to fly away. Held in the fingers she could not be induced to exude any more eggs. This was about i P.M. Neither Mr. Graf nor myself could discover the eggs where she had been ovipositing. While the female was resting in the grass a male was either fluttering about or resting on a large boulder close at hand. Description of Nymph. — Length 38 mm., including abdominal append- ages ; tarsi 3-3-3 ; antenna? y-jointed ; lateral lobe of labium bent dorsally near its posterior edge to form a mask which covers the labrum and a portion of the clypeus ; impression of the vulvar lamina and genital valves present on the sternum of the ninth abdominal segment. Color entirely concealed by the mud which encrusts the specimen and which a thorough washing failed to entirely remove. It is possible that structural r 'laracters may be obscured by this mud and so omitted in the following description. Head wide, angular, square, convex in front, concave behind, the eyes placed in the outer anterior corners ; roughened, generally sparsely hairy, edges and tubercles with dense bristle-like hairs ; on each side, back of the eyes two prominent edges and a less developed one above; facv in front of base of an tenure vertical ; antemue 3.5 mm. long, hairy, flattened, the basal joint largest, terete, with the external edge angular ; last joint •Miiall, apc\ irregular; other joints about equal in size, slightly larger dasally, about half as lung as wide. Labium short and broad; middle ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 3 lobe square, 4.5 mm. long and 5.5 mm. wide, abruptly narrower near the posterior end ; anterior edge with a larger tooth on either side of the median line and about ten smaller ones on either side ; extending pos- teriorly to half way between the bases of the first and second pairs of legs ; lateral lobes wide, opposed edges straight, notched with small serrations. Prothorax angular, high, dorsum and sides meeting at nearly a right angle, the edge produced laterally and clothed with bristly hairs ; all of thorax scantily clothed with short hairs. The thorax widens and deepens from the prothorax to the metathorax at the base of the third pair of U-gs win-re it is as wide as the abdomen in its widest part. The front wing cases extend to the posterior edge of the fourth abdominal segment ; apparently the costas lie almost parallel ; the cases of the hind wings reach to the middle of the fifth segment. Legs very robust, strongly formed, angular, especially the femora, the edges clothed with bristles ; a deep depression in the mesosternum, between the second pair of legs, to accomodate the hinge of the labium. Abdomen spindle-shaped, 23 mm. long, widest at the fifth segment where its width equals one-half its length, low, flattened, the sterna scarcely convex, terga convex, width of fifth segment n mm., depth 5 mm. Segment nine with a lateral posterior spine ; on segments ante- rior this spine grows successively smaller, not present on first three segments. The mark, on the sternum of the ninth segment, of the ovi- positor of the imago is conspicuous. On dorsum of segment five are two tufts of bristles, one on either side, separated from each other by about one-third the width of the segment, and placed a litttle nearer the pos- terior than the anterior margin of the segment ; these tufts persist from the fifth to the ninth segments, the tufts on each segment successively approaching each other more closely till on the ninth they stand just on either side of the median line ; each tuft is placed on an irregular eleva- tion and in some cases seems to be double. Appendages short, middle one tapering; apex truncate, on either side produced to form a short tooth ; laterals shorter, conical ; inferiors compressed, wide, rounded triangular, longer than the middle appendage, the lower edges and the posterior ventral edge of the tenth segment between them bearing many long stiff, yellowish hairs. Described from the extivia of the reared female of June 4, 1900 ; both exuvia and imagx* are in my collection. FXPLANATION OF PLATE I. Kig. i. — Dorsal view of Nymph of Tachopteryx Thoreyi Hagtn, Pitts- burg, Pa., (une 4, 1900. Fig. 2. — Dorsal view of the terminal abdominal appendages. l'ig-3 • — Median portion of the sternum of ninth abdominal segment showing the prominences for the ovipositor of tin.- imago. Fig. 4. — Labium of the exuvia. 4 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January, The Bees of Maine and Indiana. By JOHN H. L,ovELL, Waldoboro, Maine. PROSOPIS. While the bees of the genus Prosopis are widely distributed, comparatively few species occur in any one locality. In New Mexico there have been described P. asinhia, mcsillcF, ritd- bcckicr, tridcntidfc and wootoni ; in Illinois P. ajfinis (ziziee), illinccnsis, modesta, ndnmbonis, pygmcea, sanicuhe and thaspii ; in New Jersey P. affinis, antennata, conflucns, modes fa and pygm&a ; and in Canada P. affinis, basalis, clliptica, modesta and varifrons. It will be observed that the species of New Mexico differ entirely from those of Illinois, and belong to a southern type. The bees of northeastern America, including Illinois, New Jersey, New England and Canada, form a natural group containing several species in common, while others are more local in their distribution. My collections have been made within an area of a few square miles in Lincoln County, in southern Maine. This county lies in latitude 44° and borders upon the salt water. Very likely, when the State has been thoroughly explored, additional species may be discovered. This paper is based upon 66 specimens taken by myself at Waldoboro, Maine ; and 37 specimens collected for me by Mr. R. J. Weith, at Elkhart, Indiana. I have been unable to find any record of observations upon Maine bees. i. P. basalis Sm., 1853. This is a very rare species in this locality. I ^have taken only a single specimen, a female, on the flowers of Aralia his- pida which blooms in July. This species has been recorded from Canada, New Hampshire and New York. It may be re- cognized by its large size and the absence in the female of all yellow markings. The length of this specimen is 9 mm. Black, tarsi ferruginous, also the edge of the wing base. Face closely punctate, punctures elongate ; clypeus and sides of face mi- nutely pubescent ; thorax closely punctate. First segment of abdomen smooth and shining, apical margin fringed laterally with a white pubescence. 1901] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 5 2. P. pygmaea Cr., 1869. A small species ; length 4 mm. My first specimens were taken this season on the garden blackberry June igth, and my last on the goldenrod August 22nd ; this bee was also taken on the wild rose and Aralia hispida. Nine 9 and eight $ speci- mens taken at \Valdoboro, Maine, and seven 9 and four $ specimens collected at Elkhart, Indiana. $. — Face marks bow shaped, yellow (in one specimen nearly dark) ; clypeus and supraclypeal piece dark, finely and irregularly striate ; in one specimen there is a small dot on clypeus. Collar dark, two yellow spots on tubercles, sometimes with a minute dark dot in the center ; teguke either with or without a yellow spot. First segment of abdomen smooth and shining, no apical fringe of pubescence on segments. rf. — Base of all the tibiae, tubercles, clypeus, supraclypeal piece and sides of face pale yellow ; upward extensions of lateral face marks diverg- ing from the orbit, and slightly enlarged and rounded at apex. Supra- clypeal mark longer than broad. Yellow line on scape in front, flagellum testaceous beneath. In Illinois females frequently have a spot on clypeus, and usually a spot on tegulae ; but the males are frequently without spots on tegulse. 3. P. sauiculae Rob., 1896. ?. — More slender than P. pygmcza. A narrow, rather short yellow stripe on each side of the face, not rilling the space between the clypeus and orbit. A yellow spot on each of the hind tibia; ; collar, tubercles and tegulae dark. Head and thorax finely punctate ; abdomen impunctate, shining ; apical segments minutely pubescent. My specimens were taken July i5-i6th on Aralia Jn'spida. Waldoboro, Maine. 3 9 specimens ; Elkhart, Indians, 2 £ specimens. 4. P. modesta Say, 1897. 9. — Face marks triangular, two yellow spots on collar and tubercles, and base of all the tibia? yellow. Flagellum testaceous beneath. No yel- low spots on tegulae or edge of wing-base. Head and thorax closely punctured ; first abdominal segment smooth and shining, with lateral apical fringe of white pubescence. Wings dusky hyaline. Elkhart, Indiana, 4 9 specimens. Robertson regards it as probable that Say's description was based on specimens taken in Indiana. The females of this species in Illinois do not differ from this 6 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January, description, except that sometimes they have small spots on tegttlse. At Waldoboro, Maine, I have taken 32 female specimens that agree with the above description. My first specimens this season were taken July i5th on Aralia hispida, my last August igth on the goldenrod. I have also taken these females on Spircca salicifoUa, Ilex •rcrticillafa, Conms stolon if era and the wild rose. In size they show considerable variation. I have also taken in this locality 1 1 female specimens which have the face marks but slightly triangular or reduced to a narrow stripe. In one of these forms the collar is dark and the spots on tubercles are very small, otherwise they are typical. The markings are occasionally orange colored. r5\ — Clypeus, supraclypeal piece and sides of face yellow, upward ex- tensions of lateral face marks tapering to a point. Anterior tibiae in front and base of all the others are tarsi-yellow. First abdominal segment shining, punctuation sparse and faint, otherwise as in female. Elkhart, Indiana, 19 £ specimens. In Illinois, according to Robertson, 13 male specimens agree with this description, six had a yellow line on mandibles, five a yellow spot on labrum, one had the scape yellow in front and. three had no spot on collar. While the females of P. modesta are our commonest forms of Prosopis in Maine, the males are comparatively rare. As the result of much diligent collecting in this genus, I have taken but four males of P. modesta, two (taken on the goldenrod August i gth and aoth) agree with the above description, the third has no spots on collar, the fourth (taken July i6th on Shircca salicifolia) has no spots on collar, but a spot on labrum and yellow lines on mandibles. 5. P. affinis Sm., 1853. P. zizicz Rob., 1896. 9- — I have from Indiana a single specimen. It differs from P. modcsfa in having a yellow spot on tegulae and the edges of wing-base yellow. Six female specimens collected at Waldoboro, Maine, conform to the type. As noticed by Cockerell they are rather smaller than P. modest a. July 1 6th on Aralia hispida to August nth on goldenrod. 1. — Differs from the male of P. modesta in the broad truncation of the IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 7 upward extensions of the lateral face marks ; in the yellow spot on tegulae and edge of wing-base ; and in having the first abdominal segment finely but closely and distinctly punctured. One of my specimens has the markings orange instead of yellow, and in another they are flesh colored. This species is much rarer than the preceding. \Yaldoboro, Maine, 4 £ specimens ; August. Bibliography of North American Species of Prosopis. EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. ' Prosopis affinis Smith, 9d\ Can., Me., Conn., N. J., Ind., 111. affinis Smith, Cat. Hymen. Br. Mus., i, No. 23, p. 24, 1853, • affinis Cr., Pr. Bos. Soc. Nat. Hist., xii, No. 3. p. 270, 1869, 9C affinis Prov., Nat. Can., xiii, No. 2, p. 259, 1882, 9c?- affinis Prov., Faun. Ent. Can. Hy., No. 2, p. 727, 1882, 9c zizise Robts., Can. Ent, xxvii, No. 5, p. 136, May, 1896, f. P. antennata Cr., S-?, N. J., Maryland. antennata Cr., Pr. Bos. Soc. Nat. Hist., xii, p. 271, No. 6, 1869,^. P. basalis Smith, 9r?, Hudson's Bay, Can.; Me., N. H., N. Y. basalis Smith, Cat Hymen. Br. Mus., i, No. 22, p. 23, 1853, < basalis Cr., Pr. Bos. Soc. Nat. Hist., xii, No. i, p. 269, 1869, < basalis Prov., Nat. Can., xiii, No. i, p. 258, 1882, 2J'. basalis Prov., Faun. Ent. Can. Hy., No. i, p. 726, 1883, 9C P. confluens Smith, 9. Florida. confluens Smith, Cat. Hy. Brit. Mus., i, No. 24, p. 24, 1853, ?. P. elliptica Kirby, 9, Canada. elliptica Kirby, Faun. Bor. Am., iv, No. 368, p. 266, 1837,9. P. rlammipes Robts., 9, Florida. flammipes Robts., Tr. Am. Ent. Soc., xx, p. 273, 1893, 9- P. floridana Robts., 9, Florida. floridanus Robls., Tr. Am. Ent. Soc., xx, p. 273, 1893, $. P. georgica Ckll., , 111., Ind., N. Y., Conn., Me. pygmaea Cr. Pr. Bos. Soc. Nat. Hist., xii, No. 7, p. 272, 1869, . P. mexicana Cr., 9d\ Mexico. mexicana Cr., Pr. Bos. Soc. Nat. Hist., xii, No. 10, p. 272, '69, P. trepanda Smith, + , Mexico. trepanda Sm., Descr. New Spe. Hymen., No. 19, p. 23, 1879, $. P. vigilans Smith, 9, Mexico. vigilans Sm., Descr. New Spec. Hymen. No. 17, p. 22, 1879, 9. CUBA. P. limbifrons Cr., 9. Cuba. Hmbifrons Cr., Pr. Bos. Soc. Nat. Hist., xii, No. 12, p. 273, 1869,9. io ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January, On a Florida Beach. By ANNIE TRUMBULL SLOSSON. It has always been a favorite paradox of mine, one which I have often repeated to young friends — the smaller your field the more work you can do. All out-door collectors will know what I mean. If obliged by circumstances, whatever they may be, to remain in one particular locality, however limited, one is apt to observe interesting details, discover new objects which are overlooked when one can wander far and wide at his own sweet will. I found this so, very markedly, last winter in Florida. I spent three months, from December to April, at Palm Beach, on Lake Worth. During the greater part of that time I was, owing to the serious illness of a friend, confined closely to the house. We were staying at a hotel situated directly upon the ocean beach. It was necessary, for some weeks, that all my collecting should be done within sight of the hotel, that I might be near at hand and summoned in any emergency. And the time of my absence from the house never exceeded an hour. I had, for years, known this beach well and thought I had exhausted its resources, but I made many interesting discover- ies in those brief and restricted rambles. All along the shore grows tall, stout beach grass — a Uniola. Mr. Schwarz has written of the insects living upon this grass. I found many of the species mentioned by him and one or two which he had not found there. A small, black weevil, a Barid, was always on the sand near the roots of this grass. It proved to be Casey's Limnobaris limbifcr. I found dozens of this species. I tried to investigate its life history, but in vain. I could not find it in any stage, except as imago, though I feel confident of its living in root or stalk of the Uniola. A little higher up and farther from the water another weevil was very abundant on the sand under low plants. This was , -Ical/cs c/a- I'ahis. One of the convolvulus ^ family, Iponura /V.v-m/W, or goats-foot morning-glory trails over the sandy beach every- where. It has roundish shining leaves and its stem grows from ten to twenty feet in length. This is the native food igoi] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. II plant of Cylas formicarius, the sweet potato weevil. I found this fact out several )rears ago and wrote to the late Dr. Ham- ilton about it, sending him sections of the Ipomcca stem with this species within it, in all its different stages. The good Doctor was much interested and urged me to record the dis- covery, but I have never done so till now. Under boards and sticks upon the beach I found often an odd and showy Anthicid, new tome. It was . \nthicus currax Champ, as Mr. Sch\v;ir/ tells me, and is described and figured in the Biologia Cent. Am. Mr. Schwarz says it is a maritime species and that he has found it at Jupiter and Capron, in Florida, and has it also from Texas. In similar situations the Staphylinid Cafius bistriatits is found in great abundance, also many specimens of Philonthus alumnus, common all along the coast. Under all kinds of debris the different species of Phaleria were very numerous, P. picipcs being least common. As usual, there are upon the white sand many whitish insects, difficult to distinguish 011 their pale background. A horse-fly, Tabanus psammophilus of palest gray, a large cream-white spider, two or three of the cricket family, pallid and silvery, several species of Dolichopo- didae of greenish white ; a tiny fly, just the color of the sand, Rhicna'ssa albula ; these and many more pale, ghostly, shadowy creatures frequent the dazzlingly white sea sand, eluding, de- cieving and aggravating the collector. T\vo of the silvery crickets which I found on the sand were, respectively, Cycloptilus sqnamosns, known only, hitherto, from Texas, I think ; and Mogosoplidus slossoni. This last genus I was so fortunate as to add to our fauna two or three years ago, its only American habitat heretofore being Chili. I found the species first under bark of fallen trees at Miami, Biscay ne Bay, silvery, iridescent pearly little creatures, very agile and slipperx One morning in March, just after an easterly storm, when for two or three days there had been a strong wind from the sea, I found on the beach some very odd, long-legged little beasts, not very unlike immature "water-boatmen." These were found to be, as Dr. Uhler wrote me, Halobafcs wuellerstorfii, a marine hemipter of the Ilydrobatidae, generally found far out 12 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January, at sea. I saw scores of them, mostly dead, though a few showed signs of life — none were really active. Mr. Wickham wrote an exceedingly interesting paper concerning this species, published in ENT. NEWS, Vol. V, p. 45. He saw several specimens skimming on the surface of the water off Key West and also near Sand Key Light. This was in late June and early July. He speaks of their moving about "after the fashion of our common Hygrotrcchus, but with extremely rapid move- ment," so that it was next to impossible to capture them from the vessel. One hot day when there was a land breeze I heard people complaining of the " sand flies " along the shore, which made it almost impossible to stay there. This at once aroused my interest. Mr. Coquillett had spoken to me of a minute ' midge," complained of by travellers in Florida and perhaps tindescribed. I could not neglect this opportunity, so went to the beach as soon as possible. Sitting down on the sand under the lee of the bluff which skirts the shore, I was immediately made a martyr to science. Hundreds and thousands of these tiny flies swarmed about and over me, biting viciously, till my hands and face seemed pricked all over by red-hot needles. I secured many specimens. The fly is a Ceratopogon, perhaps gcnualis, a Cuban species, perhaps one new to science, so wrote Mr. Coquillett at the time ; I have no more recent report. But I need no distinguished dipterist to tell me that the biting ap- paratus of this species is well developed and kept in good work- ing order. — ' <»> • — Notes on Missouri Springs. By R. R. ROWLEY, Louisiana, Mo. In Ma}', 1899, Mr. G. M. Dodge of this place took two specimens of Deidamia inscripta, at apple blossoms, and in June following half a dozen or more imagoes of Amphion ncssus about persimmon blooms, thus confirming the writer's previously ex- pressed opinion that they would be found among our Sphingial fauna. A close watch of the food plants of both these moths gave ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 13 no larvae of either, and the only compensation for expended time was a lone larva of Thyrcus abbotii on wild grapes. On August i jth, the writer found almost countless numbers of larvae of Daronma catalpcs on catalpa trees in the town of Greenville, Mo. These caterpillars were of all sizes from those just hatched to those full grown. Earlier broods had defoliated the trees, and the new leaves were fast disappearing before this late summer brood. The underside of every leaf gave from two to six young larvae, and the full-grown " W7orms" were crawl- ing about on the ground in search of fit places in which to burrow. On turning over some stones and boards, several pupae and larvae ready to pupate, along with dry pupal skins from which moths had escaped, were found. Unable to take care of the larvae, I sent a box each to G. M. Dodge, of Louisiana, and O. C. Poling, of Ouincy, 111., from both of whom I afterwards procured pupae, and for the following description of the younger larval stages I am indebted to Mr. Dodge: "August 2oth. Larvae received August igth. Length of youngest larva about $/% of an inch. White above, green below. Head shining, black. Mandibles greenish. First seg- ment or neck green. Dorsal line black, expanded anteriorly on each segment forming a pyriform spot. A black lunule embracing the straight black caudal horn. Horn starts back- ward. ' Subdorsal line black, interrupted, consisting of an irregular black dot on each segment (the posterior ones much the larger) connected by small black dots. A black spot follows the caudal horn. "A larger specimen ( length about one inch ). The pyriform spots of the dorsal line become broader. It may be better de- scribed as a black stripe broadest on anterior part of each seg- ment. The spots along the side are larger and connected by two dotted lines. First segment black above. Horn slightly recurved, base greenish. ' A third si/.e ( length about i V% inches) is distinctly yellow- ish on sides. The black spots have disappeared and the spi- racles are marked by minute dots. The entire back is 14 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January, "broadly, velvety black, with two longitudinal broken rows of narrow whitish spots most distinct on the central segments. First segment yellowish green with a narrow curved line. The black of the back is bordered by a narrow white line which is itself margined outwardly by a very narrow more or less interrupted black line. In each form the prolegs are green with a black spot at their insertion on each side. True legs black." The full-grown larva is 2^ inches long, with black head, "broad black dorsal line or stripe ; long, slender, slightly in- curved black caudal horn. There are two lateral broken lines of black between which the color is yellowish green. The vental suface is greenish. True legs black. The head is rather large and more like that of Hcmaris than the larger Sphinges. The whole larva differs greatly from that of Da- rannta undulosa, our only other species of the genus, and in its uniform thickness throughout it again recalls the larva of He in ar is. The long wire-like caudal horn, slightly recurved in the full- grown larva, reminds one both of Hemaris and the younger caterpillars of Philampelns. The very young larvae are pale and crossed by rows of black dots. The pupae vary much in size and color, the largest chrysalid being over i YO, inches in length and red-brown, while the smallest is hardly more than an inch and light yellowish brown. The burrow is not deep. The imago is much inferior to that of nndiilosa in color. From one pupa the writer obtained a moth with one pair of wings much shorter, broader and more rounded at the extrem- ities than on the opposite side. The antenna on the same side is shorter and weaker than on the other. I found larvae of Actius Inna, feeding on persimmon, last July. Four of the large bombycids feed on this tree : cccropia, pronicthca, regal is and Inna. MRS. ANNIE TRUMBULL SLOSSON will, as usual, spend the winter in Florida. We will expect to receive more of her delightful collecting ex- periences. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 15 A New Genus of Ortalidae. By D. \V. CooriLLETT. Zacompsia gen. nov. Near Eitexesta, but the third antennal joint twice as wide as long and more slender, no acrostichal bristles, and the color not metallic. Body rather slender, front not punctured nor rugose, at the upper edge about one and one half times as wide as either eye, antenna; as long as the face, the third joint about twice as long as wide, rounded at the apex, arista bare, occiput strongly convex, cheeks a'xnit one- fifth as wide as the eye- height, proboscis short and robust, palpi clavate ; thorax bearing one pair of dorsocentral, two supra-alar, two posthumeral, one humeral, one meso- pleural and one sternopleural bristle, scutelium bearing four bristles, femora bare on the under side ; first vein bare, third and fourth veins converging toward their apices, lower outer angle of anal cell prolonged in the form of a rather long lobe, small and posterior crossveins nearly perpendicular. Type, the following species : Zacompsia fulva sp. nov. Reddish yellow, the proboscis, apex of the third joint of antennae, the arista except its base, an ocellar dot, small spot on occiput above the neck, the tibiae, whole of front tarsi and apices of the others, brown, all bristles and the short bristly hairs black ; wings hyaline, marked with Wir indistinct grayish crossbands ; the first is below the humeral cross- vein ; the second is very broad and extends from the stigma to beyond the fifth vein ; the third begins midway between apices of the first and second veins and passes over the hind crossvein ; the fourth borders the tip of the wing from slightly before apex of second vein to slightly beyond apex of the fourth ; body subopaque, not pruinose except the white prui. nose pleura ; front opaque, vertex polished, orbits and frontal lunule white pruinose ; length, 4.5 mm. A specimen of each sex and a third specimen! with the apex of the abdomen broken off. Had. — Texas (Belfrage) and Opelousas, La. ( G. R. Pilate Type : No. 5199, U. S. National Museum. The specimens from Opelousas were submitted by Mr. C. \Y. Johnson, by whom they were received from Dr. (kirry dt- X. Hough. — — «•*• - THE BEE AS A MESSENGER. — Says the Westminister (iaze/te : A West County farmer is training bees as letter carriers. A bee is taken away from home and a letter printed in microphotography is gummed to his little back, and he is thrown into the air. Home he goes like a carrier pigeon, and the advantage he would have over his big brother in time of war is obvious. It is very unlikely that he would be seen ; and, if seen, it would tax the skill even of the finest Boer marksman to bring him down. This is an idea worthy of the attention of the War Office. — Newspaper. 1 6 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS [January, A New Genus of Deticinae. By JAMES A. G. REHN. The species on which this genus is founded was described by the writer (Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., XXVII, p. 89) as a species of Capnobotes, but a closer study of the descriptions and plates of allied genera has confirmed the belief that it is generi- cally distinct. The generic characters would be as in the sub- joined diagnosis. NEOBARRETTIA n. gen. Pronotum saddle shaped, the posterior portion being elevated much more than the anterior portion ; pro- meso- and meta- sternum with paired spines, those of the metasternum being the stoutest and those of the prosternmn the most slender ; tegmina and wings abbreviated, the former broadly rounded. Type. — Capnobotes impcrfcdus Rehn. Tans. Amer. Ent. Soc., XXVII, p. 89. I take pleasure in dedicating this remarkable genus to Mr. Otis W. Barrett, who collected the three types at Rio Cocula, State of Guerrero, Mexico. This genus is one of the most interesting and remarkable in the subfamily. The position of it would probably be between Capnobotes and Apote, though this is hardly more than conjec- ture, as I cannot examine specimens of those genera to study the correlation of characters which seem so distinctive in speci- mens of the new7 genus. Professor Lawrence Bruner informs me that he has a speci- men of the new genus collected by Mr. Barrett at the same locality. — • <»» • — Three New Species of Diptera. By D. W. COQUILLETT. In the course of investigating the spread of diseases through the agency of insects, Dr. L,. O. Howard encountered three new species of Diptera, and as it is desirable to exclude- from his report all matter of a purely technical nature, a description of the new forms is offered herewith : igOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. IJ Chironomus halteralis sp. nov. Head black, the palpi and antenna: yellowish brown, plumosity of male antennae dark gray ; thorax dark brown, the anterior end tinged with yellow, a pair of broad, gray pruinose vitta- on the posterior half of the mesonotum, the hairs light yellow; scutelhim dark yellow; abdomen black, slightly polished, thinly covered with rather long yellow hairs . femora, tibiae and tarsi yellow, bases of femora slightly tinged with brown; front tarsi slender, almost as long as the body, destitute of hairs, the first joint about twice as long as the front tibia ; middle and hind tibia? and their tarsi in the male thickly covered with rather long yellow hairs, much sparser in the female ; halteres pale yellow, the knobs black ; wings bare, hyaline, the apical half slightly darker, veins in the basal half yellow, in the apical half more brownish ; length, 2 to 3 mm. Two males and two females. One of the females was collected May 16, 1899, by Mr. F. C. Pratt ; the remaining specimens were collected May 22, June 2 and June 6, 1900, by Mr. Herbert S. Barber. Hab.— Washington, D. C. Type : No. 5202, U. S. Nat. Museum. Helicobia qnadrisetosa sp. nov. Black, the apices of second antennal joints, face and genitalia yellow, frontal vitta dark brown ; front of male at narrowest part three fifths as wide as either eye, face yellow pruinose, third joint of antenna' three times as long as the second ; body bluish gray pruinose, thorax marked with three black vittte, the median one almost crossing the scutelluni, four p.iirs postsutural dorsocentral bristles, the bristly hairs very short and de- pressed, abdomen with a blackish dorsal line and reflecting dark spots, second segment bearing a marginal row of small bristles of nearly an equal length and with a much longer lateral bristle, third and fourth seg- ments each bearing a marginal row of bristles of nearly an equal length, longest on the fourth ; first segment of the genitalia in the female also bearing a marginal row of bristles, in the male with a discal row of about six bristles ; male hypopygium very large, polished, the first segment grayish yellow pruinose ; hairs of legs very short, middle tibiae of male each bearing a long bristle below the middle of the outer anterior side, on the posterior side with a short bristle at one-third its length and with a transverse pair of short ones at two-thirds of its length ; hind tibia,- each bearing a pair of long bristles on the outer side near one-third of its length and with a second pair near two-thirds of its length in the female with an an additional bristle, situated below the middle of the inner side of each middle and hind tibia ; wings hyaline, costal spine very small, first vein bristly from slightly beyond base of second vein nearly to apex of auxil- iary vein, third vein bristly almost to small crossvein ; length, 4.5 to 6 mm. Two males and four females, collected by Mr. F. C. Pratt, in 1899. Hab.- Travilah, Md. (June 10 and 20) ; Washington, D. C. i8 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January, (May 12 and 29, and July 18) ; Snicker's Gap, Va. (July 18). Type : No. 5395, U. S. Nat. Museum. Drosophila buskii sp. nov. Head yellow, a black ocellar dot, center of tipper part of occiput brown, two orange yellow frontal vitue, converging anteriorly ; front bearing a few short bristly hairs, the two pairs of vertical bristles placed one in front of the other, three pairs of orbital bristles, the four bristles composing the two anterior pairs placed transversely, the inner pair directed forward, the others backward ; antennae dark brown, the first two joints yellow, the third joint subequal in length to the second ; the bristle below each vibrissa about two-thirds as long as the latter ; mouth parts yellow ; thorax yellow, opaque, yellowish gray pruinose, mesonotum marked with seven black vittse of which the median one is forked posteriorly, pleura marked with three black vittae, the upper two sometimes united anteriorly ; scutelhim yellow, the middle of the upper side next the base brown ; abdomen black, a median vitta, the first segment largely, front edge of the second, and the outer front angles of the others, yellow ; legs and halteres yellow ; wings hyaline, unmarked, costa extending to apex of the fourth vein, last section of fifth vein almost as long as the penultimate section of the fourth, last section of fourth vein twice as long as the preceding section ; length, 1.5 to 2 mm. Twenty specimens. Hab.— Washington, D. C. (T. Pergande, D. W. Coquillett); Charlestown, W. Va. (A. Busck); Algonquin, 111. ( Dr. W. A. Nason). Type : No. 5396, U. S. Museum. Pieris occidcutalis. — Last July, in Las Vegas, N. M.( my little son Martin, found a number of larvae which I took to be those of Pieris protodicc, living upon Cleomc serritlata (family Capparidaceas). As the food-plant was a new one I requested him to rear the butterflies, so that we might be sure of the species. This he did, and when they emerged (3 ilobiitiu and found a large Sp/iin.v larva looking very much like that of 7". abbotii. The anal horn \vas absent, and a shining button was in its place. I fed it carefully and it pulled a leaf or two over itself on the soil and pupated, and appeared as a moth in February. The specimen is therefore from Colo- rado, and is now in the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. PROF. W. G. JOHNSON, State Entomologist, located at the State Agri- cultural College of Maryland, resigned his position on December I4th, to accept the editorship of the " American Agriculturist," which has offices in New York, Springfield, Mass., and Chicago, 111. He will locate per- manently in New York. Prof. Johnson leaves Maryland with the esteem and good-will of those acquainted with his work. The Horticultural Society of Maryland at a recent meeting adopted resolutions stating that the Association was justly proud of the eminence Prof. Johnson had ac- quired throughout the United States by reason of his devotion to and pro- ficiency in his profession. It is likely that Prof. H. P. Gould, Prof John- son's assistant, will succeed him as State Entomologist. MR. G. WESLEY BROWNING, of Salt Lake City, Utah, is not only an entomologist but also an artist of ability. Last year he very kindly made the drawing, Stenopelmatusfasciatus, for the cover of the NE\VS, and this year he has made for us the fine drawing of both sexes of Epical I ia vir- giiHilis. This species is abundant in July in the beautiful canon which supplies Salt Lake City with water from the Wasatch Mountains. Mr. Browning has a most interesting field of work, as the individual canons in the Wasatch seem to have a few species not found in the others. The sand dunes between Saltair and Garfield Beach on the Great Salt Lake would doubtless repay careful study, and might prove a mine of entomological treasures. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfully receive items of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.] To Contributors. — All contributions will be considered and passed upon at our earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep- tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five "extras," without change in form, will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged. — ED. PHILADELPHIA, PA., JANUARY, 1901. A correspondent sends us the following : ' I would like to get your opinion as well as others upon the subject of establishing some sort of a black-list to protect well- meaning collectors from impositions practised upon them by some unscrupulous collectors in different parts of the country. Although the value of butterflies and moths may be small, still there are some who knowing the swindled ones have no redress take advantage of the confidence imposed in them by others to swindle and cheat them in making exchanges. I understand that in England, after due examination and inquiry, a black- list is published by the representative journals, and I think it would be a good scheme to adopt here." We have known of but few cases, in an extended experience, wrhere persons have made a practice of this mean kind of swind- ling, and such swindlers soon become known to collectors and exchangers. Such a list would have to be gotten out with the greatest care as some people have grievances without any logical basis. Also we are not informed as to the legal aspects of the case, and would be pleased to hear from an}7 of our subscribers in regard to our right to publish such a list. 20 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 21 Entomological Literature. COMPILED BY P. P. CALVERT. Under the above head it is intended to mention papers received at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia pertaining to the Entomology of the Americas (North and South). Articles irrelevant to American entomology will not be noted. Contribu- Jions to the anatomy, physiology and embryology of insects, however, relating to Ameri- can or exotic species, will be recorded. The numbers in HKAVV-FACED TYPE refer to the journals, as numbered in the following iist, in which the papers are published ; * denotes that the paper in question contains descriptions of new N'orth American forms. Titles of all articles in foreign languages are translated into English; usually such articles are written in the same language as the title of the journal containing them, but when such articles are in other languages than English, French, German or Italian, this fact is indicated in brackets. 2. Transactions of the American Entomological Society, xxvii, i, Phila- delphia, Oct., 'oo.— 3. The American Naturalist, Boston, Nov., 'oo.— 4. The Canadian Entomologist, London, Ont., Dec., 'oo. — 5. Psyche, Cam- bridge, Mass., Dec., 'oo.— 9. The Entomologist, London, Dec., 'oo.- 12. Comptes Rendus. L' Academic des Sciences, Paris, 'oo.— 13. Comp- tes Rendus. Societe de Biologic, Paris, Oct. 27, 'oo.— 15. Biologia Cen- trali-Americana, pt. clviii, London, Oct., 'co.— 21. The Entomologist's Record, London, Nov., 15, 'oo.— 37. Le Naturaliste Canadien, Chicou- timi, Quebec, 'oo.— 38. Wiener Entomologische Zeitung, xix, 9, Nov. 5, 'oo. — 4O. Societas Entomologica, Ziirich-Hottingen, 'oo. — 56. Mitthei- hingen, schweizerischenentomologischen Gesellschaft, x, 7, Schaffhausen, Oct., 'oo — 58. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, Valparaiso, Sept., 'oo. — 6Oc. Comunicaciones, Museo National de Buenos Aires, i, 7, Oct. 9, 'oo.— 64. Annalen, k. k. Naturhistorisches Hofmuseum, xiv, 3-4, Vi- enna, 1899, rec'd. Nov. 18, 'oo.— 65. La Feuille des jeunes Naturalistes, Paris, Dec. i, 'oo.— 68. Science, New York, 'oo.— 82. Centralblatt fiir Bakteriologie, Jena, 'oo.— 83. Notes from the Leyden Museum, xxii, 1-2, July, 'oo.— 84. Insekten Borse, Leipsic, 'oo.— 116. Biological Bulletin, ii, 2, Boston, Nov., 'oo. — 14O. Proceedings, Washington Academy of Scien- ces, ii, 'oo —141. Proceedings, Indiana Academy of Sciences, 1898, Indi- anapolis, 1899, rec'd. Dec. 4, 'oo.— 142. First Report, Michigan Academy of Sciences, Lansing, 'oo.— 143. O. S. U. Naturalist published by the Biological Club of the Ohio .State University, i, i, Columbus, O., Nov., 'oo.— 144. The New York Medical Journal, 'oo.— 145. Mittheilungen, naturwissenschaftliches Yereins fiir Steiermark, Gra/. THE GEXEKA1, SI 15,1 ECT.— Bcii»tsson, S. On the so- called " heartboclies " [Herzkorper] of insect larvae as well as a contribu- tion to knowledge of blood tissue, Bihang till K. Svenska Vetenskaps Akademiens Handlingar, xxv, 4, Stockholm, 1899. — Porter, C. E. Vital resistance of some Chilian arthropods [in Spanish], 58.— Volf-'or, B. Insects in proverb and poetry, 84, Nov. 15, 22, 29.— Williamson, E. B. Biological conditions of Round and Shriner Lakes, Whitley County, Ind., 141. 22 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January, ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.— Anon. Locust destruction, Agricultural Journal, Cape Town, Oct. 25, Nov. 8, [and] Screens and traps on the Cyprian system [for locust destruction], figs., id., Oct. 25, 'oo. — Anon. Mosquitoes communicate yellow fever, 14:4, Dec. S.— Burrag'e, S. Insects as factors in the spread of bacterial diseases, 141. — Celli, A. Contribution to knowledge of malaria epidemiology from the newest etiological standpoint, iii, 82, Nov. 5. — Cook, O. F. Peach yellows : a cause suggested [poisoning by bite of a Phytoptid mite], 68, Dec. 7.— Brittoii, W. E. The San Jos6 Scale. From the Report of the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture for 1900. 13 pp. No indication of place of publication ! ! — Fieldiiig'-Ould, 1?. The malaria campaign, Nature, London, Nov. 8, 'oo. — Gerdolle, A. The phylloxera in the Metz country, Memoires, PAcademie de Metz, iSgy-'gS. 1900.— Grassi, B. First summary report on the experiment on prevention of malaria made in the vicinity of Paestum, 82, Nov. 5. — Howard, L. O. The economic status of insects as a class, Annual Report of the Board of Regents, Smithsonian Institution, for the year ending June 30, 1898. Washington, 1899. Rec'd. Dec. 4, 'oo. — Jenkins, E. H. et al. The protection of shade trees in towns and cities, 9 pis., Bulletin 131, Connecti- cut Agric. Exper. Station, New Haven, Conn. Nov., 'oo. — Knowles, M. E. Sarcoptic scabies of the horse ; psoroptic scabies of cattle in Montana, Journal of Comparative Medicine and Veterinary Archives, Philadelphia, Oct., 'oo. — Ktibler. [Summary of Dr. R. Koch's third, fourth and fifth reports on the Malaria Expedition, and of Ziemann's 'On the relations of mosquitos to the malaria parasites in Kamerun'], 82, Oct. 27. — von Marenzeller, E. Animals in the blood of man and their effects, Schriften des Vereines zur Verbreitung naturwissenschaft- licher Kenntnisse in Wien, xl, 1900. — McFarland, J. A review of our knowledge of malaria, 144, Nov. 17.— Ren, L. Experiments on the ability of the Diaspinae to resist external influences, Biologisches Central- blatt, Erlangen, Nov. 15, 'oo.— Sanderson, E. I>. The strawberry root louse [ Aphis forbe si Weed] ; The destructive pea louse \_Ncctai-a- pliora phi Kalt.] in Delaware, figs., Bulletin xlix, Delaware College Agric. Exper. Station, Newark, Del., Dec., 'oo. — v. Schulthess Recli- berg', A. The malaria parasite and its alternation of generations, 5(J. — Seeman, H. Neuronia popularis injurious to maize, 4O. — Slinger- land, 31. V. The grape root-worm [/'/'Oc.— Biolley, P. Orthoptera recognized in Costa Rica from 1890 to 1900, i pi. [in Spanish], Tornado del Informe del Museo National 1899-1900, pp. 41-57. Imprenta Nacional, 1900.— Brumier v. Watten- wyl, C. Tri.\/int, new genus of Tryxalidce, near Sfanronotus, from Tierra del Fuego, figs., OOc.— Rehn, J. A. G. Notes on Mexican Orthoptera, with descriptions of new species :\ U. — Scudder, S. H. The species of Circotettix, a North American genus of Oedipodinae, 5.- Slingerland, 31. V. See Economic Entomology.— Tiimpel, K. Die Geradfliigler Mitteleuropas. Lieferung 7 (Schluss). Eisenach, Verlag von M. Wilckens. This " Lieferung" deals with the Orthoptera proper and the Thysanoptera, and completes this work in 308 pp., 20 col. pis., 3 black and white pis., 92 text figs. — Wheeler, W. M. A new myrme- cophile from the mushroom gardens of the Texan leaf-cutting ant [a Blattid — Attiphila fungicola*], figs., 3. NEUROPTERA.— Calvert, P. P. Moults in the Odonata, 9.- Hine, J. S. Additions and corrections to the "Odonata of Ohio," 143.— Kirby. W. F. Notes on the Neuropterous family Nemopteri- da;, Annals & Magazine of Natural History, London, Nov., 'oo. — Man- sion, A. Frogs and dragonflies, Revue Scientifique, Paris, Dec. i, 'oo. — Osburii, K. C., and Hiiie, J". S. Dragonflies taken in a week, 143. HEMIPTERA.— Bred din, G. Mimicry among the Hemiptera (concl.) (transl.), Bulletin, Societe Linne"enne du Nord de la France, xv, 329, Amiens, July-Aug., 'co.— Fowler, W. W. Rhynchota Homoptera, vol. i, pp. 55-76, pi. viii [Flatidae* Derbidse""'] ; vol. ii, pp. 281-292, pi. xix [Tettigonia*], 15.— Haiiseii. H. J. On the morphology and classifi- cation of the auchenorrhynchous Homoptera (cont.) (trans!.), O.— King1, G. B. A new Pidrinaria from New Mexico*, 4.— Osborii, H. A list of Hemiptera collected in the vicinity of Bellaire, Ohio, 143. — Reed, E. C. Synopsis of the Hemiptera of Chile (cont.) Capsina [in Spanish], 58.— Reb, L. See Economic Entomology.— Strobl, G. Styrian He- miptera, 145. Jahrg. 1899. 1900. — Tben, F. Contribution to know- ledge of the Austrian species of the Cicadine genus Deltocephalus, 2 pis., 145, Jahrg. 1899. 1900. --Webster, F. M. Distribution of broods, xxii, v, and viii of Cicada scpL'iidccini in Indiana, map, 141. COLEOPTERA.— Beaulieu, G. The Cicindelas of the Province of (Juebec (cont.), 37, Nov.; The Scaraba -ida.- of the Province of Quebec, 37, Dec 15. — Berg, C. Note on the species of the genus .-l/iinins F. belonging to the Argentine fauna, (JOc.— Donisthorpe, H. Note on the copulation of Hydrophilic, pic< '/is, iil. — Howard, L. <). The LUke collection of Coleoptera, <>,S, Dec. 14 — Kiiu-aid, T. The metamor- phoses of some Alaska Coleoptera (Papers from the Harriman Alaska Expedition), 5 pis., 14O, Nov. 24. — Mollenkamp, AV. Six new Lu- 24 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January, canid species and a new variety, 83. — Poiiselle, A. Contribution to the study of the habits of the Cicindelas, figs , (55. — Kaspail, X. The cockchafer (Melolo ntha vulgaris] in point of view of its progression in the intermediate years of its cycles, Bulletin de la Socie'te d'Acclimatation de France, Paris, June, 'oo. — Reitter, E. Identification table of the Cur- culionid divisions Cossonini and Calandrini of the European fauna in the wider sense, Yerhandlungen des naturforschenden Vereines in Briinn, xxxvii, 1899. — Slingerlaml, M. V. See Economic Entomology. DIPTI3RA.— Anon. The resting position of Anopheles, 144, Dec. 8. — Chagiion, G. Some Canadian Syrphidae, 37, Nov.; Preliminary studies on the Syrphidae of the province of Quebec, 37, Dec. 15. — Co- quillett, D. W. Diptera : Entomological results from the Harriman Alaska Expedition*, 14O, Dec. 7. — Henneguy, F. The adipose body of the Muscidas during histolysis, 12, Nov. 26. --Howard, L. O. Re- marks on Psorophora cilia/a, with notes on its early stages, tigs., 4.— v. Kertesz, C. Remarks on Pipuncuhdae (Dipt.), 38. — Leger, Li. On a new sporozoan of Dipterous larvae, 13 and 12, Oct. 29. — Osten Sackcii, C. Notice on the synonymy of Anopheles maculipcnnh Mei- gen, Entomologist's Monthly Magazine, London, Dec., 'oo. — Pettit, JR. H. A leaf-miner Chironomus sp., in water-lilies, figs., 142. — Stein, P. Some remarks on Prof. Mik's criticism of my article on the Tachini- dae and Anthomyidse of the Meigvn collection in Paris, 38. — Strobl, G. The Diptera of Styria, iv, 145, Jahrg. 1897. 1898. — Vaney, C. Con- tributions to the study of the phenomena of metamorphosis in the Dip- tera, 12, Nov. 5.— Webster, F. M. Species of Diptera reared in In- diana during the years 1884-1890, 141. LEPIDOPTERA.— Beutemnuller, W. Note on Sesia arctica, 4.— Clark, F. N. Photographing the eggs of Lepidoptera, i pi., 21. —Clement, A. L. Dispersal and varieties of Attacus cynthia, (55.— I)ogiiin, P. New Heterocera from South America, Annales, Socie'te' Entomologique de Belgique, xliv, u, Brussels, Nov. 28, 'oo. — Dyar, H. G. Life histories of North American Geometridae, xvii, 5 ' Supplemen- taiy notes on Orgyia, o.— Gibson, A. The life history of Arciia phttlcrata Harr., 4. — Godmaii, F. I>. Lepidoptera Rhopalocera, vol. ii, pp. 501-532, pis. xcv, xcvi [Hesperidse*], 15.— Grote, A. R. Clas- sification of the butterflies [and] Corrections (two papers), 4. — Han- ham, A. W. Additions to the list of Manitoba butterflies, with notes on other species, 4. — Lambillon, L- J. Note on the cry made by the larva of Achcroniia afropos, 21.— 3Iayer, A. G. On the development of color in moths and butterflies, Biological Lectures from the Marine Biological Laboratory of Woods Holl, 1899. Boston, 1900. — Pettit, R. H. The habits of Euclcinensia (Hamadryas) bassetteila, a true parasite belonging to the Lepidoptera, 142. — Piepers, M. C. The evolution of color in Lepidoptera, 83.— Poling', O. C- Notes on Neophasia fcr- looti Bhr. , from Arizona, with description of a new variety*, 4. — Sle- vogt, B. The enemies of our darlings [Birds, bats and dragonflies feed- ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. ing on Lepidoptera], 4O, Dec. i.— Smith, J. B. Contributions toward a monograph of the Noctuidae of boreal North America : revision of the species of Acontia Ochs.*, 2.— Standings, M. Synopsis of experi- ments in hybridization and temperature made with Lepidoptera up to the «nd of 1898 (cont.) (transl.), 2 pis., 9.— Tutt, .1. W. Cossns ore Strecker at the Tilbury dock [London], 21.— Warnecke, G. On some means of protection of caterpillars, 84, Nov. 22. HYMENOPTERA.— Ashmead, W. H. Some changes in ge- neric names in the Hymenoptera, 4.— Berg-, C. Notes on two species of the genus Odynents of Tierra del Fuego, OOc. — Bouvier, K. L. The return to the nest among the predatory Hymenoptera of the genus l!t-inbex, 13.— Cockerell, T. I>. A. Notes on New Mexico bees'", 4.— Fielde, A. M. Portable ant nests, figs., 116.— Forel, A. Nests of Caniponotiis scne.v Sm., and of Ufacromischa sa/lci Guerin ; A natural triple formicary ; Cyrphomyrmex Wheelcri n. sp.* ; Imported ants, .">(». — Frey-Ge.ssner, E. Hymenoptera Helvetia, pp. '117-148, *56.— Friese, H. Monograph of the bee-genera Megacilissa, Caupolicana and Ox much is being written about the ravages of the eastern species ol' Clisiocampa, it may be wortli while to report that C.fragilis has been exceedingly destructive the last two sum- mers in Sapello Canon, N. M , and the adjacent territory, especially defo- liating the quaking aspens (/\>pu/its fn-inu/oidcs). From cocoons gath- ered at Beulah I bred a parasite, identified by Mr. Ashmead as Phup/a 26 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January, atrocoxalis Cresson. No dipterous parasites have yet been reported from this species, but doubtless Archytas analis, reported from Clisiocai)ipa californica, and Tac/iina niclla, reported for C/isiocainpa sp. at West Cliff, Colo, (see Coquillett, Revision of the Tachinidfe) were in reality bred from C.fragilis. — T. D. A. COCKEKELL. MR. W. G. FREEDLY, JR., states that l.iinenitcs, ort/innis was very scarce at East Dorset, Vermont, during the past summer. It is usually there in great abundance. He also reports the capture of Callidryas eiibn/c at the same place on August 2yth. This is a very rare species in New England, especially in the northern part. Lasiocampa medusa Strecker. — My friend Dr. Abbot, of Pasadena, while on a visit to his ranch near San Diego, Cal., found one of these moths in his tent, and about the same time a man working on the place found another. ' Thinking they might be something good, judging from their size and general appearance, Dr. Abbot turned them over to me. The two specimens agree almost exactly with Dr. Strecker's description in ENT. NEWS, January, 1898, except as to size, my specimens being 3^ inches in expanse of the wings. On comparing with arizoneiisis, they prove to be very distinct by their heavy appearance and thick hair on the abdomen. The specimens were shown to several other collectors in this vicinity and they were of the same opinion as to the identification of the species. Dr. Strecker's specimen is the only other known as far as I know, so I thought this would be worth recording. — FORDYCE GRIN- NELL, JR., Pasadena, Cal. YOUR naptha launch story in last issue may do very well in the United States, but is nothing for a country where we feed pigs on the salmon thrown ashore, and stop railway trains with tent caterpillars. Last fall, writer's company put down quarter of a mile of small-sized water pipe and afterwards found that nearly every section was stopped up by rr/V/v/.v. It had been lying on the ground at the time first frosts reminded crawling things of winter quarters, and was literally so packed that \ve could not shake or force the creatures out, but had to dissicate them. In time and trouble they easily cost us a couple of hundred dollars. Entomologists ! come to Canada. — DVVIGHT PRAINERD, Montreal, Dec. 10, 1900. AT TOKIO, toward the close of May and the beginning of June, one sees suspended under the verandas of houses beautiful little: cages oi bamboo from which break upon the ear strange little metallic whistlings of light trills, which fill the air with delicate music. The musical sounds are emitted by certain insects. Listening to these minute singers has beep for many centuries a favorite pastime of the Japanese. The most prized of these singing insects is the suzumushi. Its name means "insect bell," and the sound which it emits resembles that of a tiny silver bell. It is a tiny black beetle, of a flat body and very vulgar appearance. The igoi] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 2J kutsuwa-mushi is so named because its cry resembles the sound made by a horse in champing the bit. There are two species of it, the one a light yellow and the other a pale green. This insect is none other than a kind of winged grasshoper, common in many countries. — Newspaper. is piricola. — Mr. Marlatt, in his interesting article in ENT. NEWS, November, credits the combination I.) niseis pii ico/ti to Francesco Saccar- do, but that writer did not propose any such name ; nor did Berlese, who also pointed out the generic position of 1 >el Gueticio's species Both these writers proposed to continue the erroneous name Diaspis ostrt'tfjornus. The first occurrence of the combination Diaspis pirii'o/a, so far as 1 know, is in Bull. 6, Tech. Ser., Div. Ent., p. 4 (1897). The method of double citation (of the authors of the name and of the combination), while cus- tomary in botany, is not so usual in zoology ; but when it is employed care should be taken to follow the rules governing it.— T. D. A. COCKERELL. Doings of Societies. By invitation of Mr. Wm. D. Kearfott, of Montclair, N. J.r the Newark Entomological Society held its regular meeting at his residence, Sunday, December gth. Seven members present, President Buchholz presiding. Visitors, Mr. Braun, of Newark, N. J., Messrs. Watson and Comstock, of New York. Mr. Kearfott entertained his visitors very agreeably, ex- hibited his extensive collection, consisting of Lepidoptera from all quarters of the globe, it being especially rich in the micro- lepidoptera of N. America, to which, of late, he has been directing his main efforts, and among these are probably many undescribed species of Tineidre. Excellently mounted on silver wire and polyphorus strips, these small forms made a beautiful and very artistic exhibit. Mr. Kearfott also explained his method of inflating larvae, exhibiting the requisite apparatus, his collection containing inflated larvae of over 500 species, among them, several examples of /)niguria tin nut at Angle- sea, N. J., September ^d. "Aberrations and other odd forms," were made the subject for discussion and illustration at the next meeting. S. T. KKMI-, Secretary. 28 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January, A meeting of the American Entomological Society was held October 25th. Dr. P. P. Calvert, President, in the chair. Mr. H. W. Wenzel donated a large and interesting collection of ants from the vicinity of Philadelphia and certain places in New Jersey. They were taken while searching for Pselaphidae and Scydmeenidse. Mr. C. Schaeffer of the American Museum of Natural History, New York, called attention to a mistake in most collections of Coleoptera. The Cerambycids Acanthocinus obliqitus and pusilhis were considered synonymous, the latter being placed as a synonym of the former by Bates, whereas they are quite distinct, according to the speaker, who pointed out marked differences in the elytra and punctuation. Mr. Ljebeck exhibited a paper-knife with a rabbit-foot handle, the hide of which had been entirely eaten by an insect, nothing being left but the bones. The insect doing the damage was probably Tinea biselliella. Mr. Wenzel exhibited fourteen specimens of Cychrus c/erat/is showing great variation in size and other characters. Mr. Schaeffer exhibited a species of Coleoptera from Florida which is near the genus Anomala, but quite distinct. Mr. Wenzel said that in Mr. Schwarz's paper on Myrmecophilus insects he had mentioned Adrancs cxcus as being found with but one species of ant, but the speaker had found this species with four species of ants as follows : Lasnts }>ii.\'ti(s, alicnus var. cuncrieainis, Lasins aphidicola and Aphu-- nogastcr aqnia. He also corroborates Mr. Schwarz's observa- tion in regard to Batrisus ione being found only with Lasius alicnis var. aiuerieana. A colon}' of Formica Integra was ex- amined in the fall and 14 specimens of Cydius :/e^/cri were taken. The following week the ants had entirely disappeared. The very minute species of Scydmsenidse, belonging to the genus Opressus, are exceedingly swift runners. Mr. L,iebeck said he had seen Hcticrins brunneipennis from a large ant's nest brought to the Academy. Dr. Calvert mentioned two dragonflies brought in by Mr. Daecke which had been taken at Manuniuskin, N. J., and said Gomphus plagiatus was new to the New Jersey list, although the speaker had taken it in Pennsjdvania. Mr. L/iebeck men- IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 29 tinned putting Dermastid larvae in a tin box and subsequently found cast-off skins and nothing else. Dr. Calvert spoke of the egg of the common fruit fly with its two processes, one half as long as the egg, and these processes seem to have small air cells. HENRY SKIXXKR, Seorfarr. A meeting of the Entomological Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia was held November 22nd. Mr. Philip Laurent, Director, presiding. Mr. L,aurent donated two specimens of the blown larva of Hcmilcuca niaia. Dr. Calvert recorded the occurrence of a single male dragonfly Svinpctnun (Diplax) I'iciiinin Hagen by the pond in the Bo- tanical Garden of the University of Pennsylvania, November 2ist. This is believed to be the latest date yet recorded for this species in this locality ;* in his Catalogue of the Philadel- phia Odonata ( 1893 ), he had given October 26th as the latest, stating, however, that the species would probably be found still later, a prediction now verified. The occurrence of this individual yesterday is the more interesting, because on No- vember 1 6th the maximum and minimum temperatures for Philadelphia are official!}' given as 42° F. f 5.5° C. ), and 29° F. ( — 1.7° C. ) respectively; although on November 22nd the maximum and minimum were 74° F. (23° C. ), and 65° F. i i,s° C. ) respectively. The individual was captured, identified and released ; it was quite lively when set free. Dr. Calvert also called attention to a valuable paper by Dr. Justus Watson Folsom on the mouth parts of Anurida nntritiina, one of the Collembola. The interesting features of the paper were men- tioned. Dr. Skinner exhibited a variety of /'icris protodicc and made some remarks on the species in conjunction with /Wv/.s occidcntalis. Mr. Reinick said he had spent ten days on the Jersey coast at Atlantic City in October. While out fishing he * On November 23d, I found a female of this species in the same local- ity, hut have not been able to find any individuals later. The other dates in November on which I saw this species at this pond were the 5th (ovi- positing), 6th, jth and roth. — P. P. CALVERT. 30 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January, had a lot of clams for bait, and was surprised at the number of Coleoptera they attracted. He also saw many specimens of Phalcria testacca in hard cedar logs. Mr. C. W. Johnson called attention to an article in the first report of the Michigan Academy of Science on a leaf-mining Chironouins, but the species was not named. He said he had received from Prof. Smith an allied Dipteron reared from the leaves of the Victoria regia, and they were found to be Cricop- topus sylvcstris. Dr. Calvert said he would like to ask whether it is better to give species fanciful names or name them after some character of the insect. This was discussed pro and con by those present. Mr. L,aurent said Mr. Daecke had reported Agrotis riolaris from Manumuskin, N. J. The speaker said he knew of but one other specimen in any other Philadelphia collection, and that was the type in the collection of the American Entomological Society. He also showed the chrysalis of Callidryas cubit/c, and said the larva of Sphin.\' plebcins was plentiful on the trumpet vine at Anglesea, N. J. He also reported Tcttigca hieroglyph ica from Da Costa, N. J., on July, nth. Dr. T. H. Montgomery, Jr., was elected a Member and Mr. Erich Daecke an Associate. HENRY SKINNER, Recorder. At the November meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social, held at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1523 South Thir- teenth Street, fifteen persons were present. Prof. J. B. Smith spoke of a recent collecting trip to Ocean County, N. J., on November igth, and said that he had found numerous mosquito larvae living in pitcher plants. The plant is a veritable trap for insects, which disintegrate after death and lie in a decaying mass on the bottom of the plant, in which the young mosquitos are nourished. Dr. Skinner referred to a recent article by Mr. Barrett in ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, on a dragonfly larva which was sup- posed to live in the large leaves of some plants containing water, inasmuch as the region in which the species is found is unusually dry and not propitious for dragonfly larvae. Prof. Smith spoke on the great destructivenessof the Hessian IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 31 fly during the past season. Owing to the drought the fly had not emerged until the time that wheat was well up. Wheat should not be sown until after rain has broken the drought. Mr. Daecke exhibited specimens from Manumuskin, N. J., including .\uthocliaris gcnutici, April 2_|.th. Also a Catocala rclicta from Philadelphia "Neck." In connection with these specimens Prof. Smith remarked that among them was one of the rare . l^rot/s I'io/aris. The oviposition of Cicada hieroglyphica was referred to by Prof. vSmith. He had found a pupal skin of this species in a decayed cavity inside of a pine log. The pupae usually cling to the bark of trees which they may ascend. Mr. H. Wenzel said he had found Cicada canicnlaris com- monly in the latter part of August at Anglesea, N. J. Dr. H. Skinner referred to a recent paper on the genus Argynnis, and a criticism by Mr. Lyman thereon. He spoke of the lack of data to specimens on which earlier work on this genus was based, and considered this to be the reason for the errors which had been made. He believed that a study of geographical distribution would settle many points in regard to synonymy in Ar^'vimis, as many so-called species are, no doubt, only geographical variations. Mr. Reinick exhibited some tri-color process plates of insects issued by a Boston concern, and referred to errors in names and coloration. As these were issued for educational purposes he thought attention should be called to the matter. Mr. Harbeck referred to the abundance of Passaliis corn at its in logs in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. The occurrence of this species was further discussed by H. Wen/el, Smith, Johnson, Harbeck. Mr. H. YVen/.el reported that he had recently taken several species of Pselaphidse in the lowlands of New Jersey, which had been described from mountain altitude- Prof. Smith did not believe elevation counts for much in the distribution of insects of this character. The probable change of temperature in dead and live trees as effected by external inllucnco was discussed by Daecke, Smith, \Yen/el, Laurent and others. 32 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January, Mr. Laurent referred to the great damage done by Fieri* rapa- in Pike and Monroe Counties, Pennsylvania, and in sec- tions of New Jersey. In reply to Prof. Smith, he stated he had seen the caterpil- lars of rapfc at work. Prof. Smith said that Plusia brassiac had done the most in- jury to cabbage in south New Jersey. Prof. Smith spoke of the death of Rev. Geo. D. Hulst, on November 5th, and referred to his entomological work. On motion, the following resolutions presented by Prof. Smith, were adopted : Resolved, That in the death of Dr. George D. Hulst, ento- mology has lost an able worker in his very prime, and when the character of his publications showed that his best was just being given to us. This is a loss to be regretted by the members individually and as a body, and they hereby record their sorrow and regret, Resolved further, That the character of the deceased was such, that the loss of the man is equal to the loss of the scientist ; to be regretted by all who admire justness and up- rightness in thought and speech, Resolved further, That this minute be spread upon the re- cords of the Social and that a copy be forwarded to the family of the deceased by the Secretary. Mr. E. Daecke was unanimously elected a member of the Social. WILLIAM J. Fox, Secretary. OBITUARY. Dr. Otto Staudinger died at Lucerne, Switzerland, on Oct. 1 3th, in his seventy-first year. He was well known to Ameri- can students of the Lepidoptera. A letter just received from M. Rene Martin contains the sad news of the death of M. le Baron Edmond de Selys-Longchamps, the greatest authority on the Odonata. His decease occurred a few days previous to December i3th, but the exact date is not mentioned. We shall give a notice of his life and labors in the February number. — P. P. CALVERT, Dec. 26, 1900. ENT. NEWS, VOL. XII. PI. II. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. VOL. XII. FEBRUARY, 1901. No. 2. CONTENTS: Calvert — Baron Edmond de Selys- Longchamps 33 Cockerell — Flower and Insect Records from New Mexico 38 Cockerell— A New Ceratina 43 Rrues — A New Species of Dolichopus 44 Merrick — A New Callimorpha 45 Kellogg — An Aquatic Psychodid 46 King— Lecanium caryse Fitch Editorial 55 Entomological Literature 56 Doings of Societies 61 Baron Edmond de Selys-Longchamps. The present classification of the Odonata, like that of all groups of living things, is the result of the studies of several generations, but it has advanced more during the second half of the nineteenth century than at an}' other period. In those fifty years excellent work on these insects has been done by a number of entomologists of the first rank. Yet it will not be unjust to them, to state that the present condition of that classification is due more to de Selys-Longchamps than to any other individual. The more eminent of his co-workers in this department of entomology, indeed, were highest authorities in other departments as well. This does not detract from the great merit of de Selys, for much of the time which they de- voted to study, he gave to the service of the State. But hi- interests as a naturalist were not confined to insects ; they ex- tended to the Belgian fauna generally, to mammals, birds, tree- and meteorological phenomena, and he wrote on all of them. His life was long ; his first and last scientific publications 34 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February, are separated by an interval of sixty-nine years ; his political services covered fifty-eight. Our interest in him is chiefly entomological; he was the " Maitre de 1'Odonatologie," the ' Altmeister," the chief systematist in this field who has yet appeared. MICHEL EDMOND, BARON DE SELYS-LONGCHAMPS was born in Paris, May 25, 1813, and died at Liege, Belgium, December ii, 1900. He studied in the University of Liege, and early took up his residence at Longchamps, near Waremme, fifteen miles westward. In 1841 he became communal councillor of Waremme, was provincial councillor of the same canton from 1846 to 1848, member of the Chamber of Representatives for Waremme in 1848, elected to the national Senate for that arrondissement, February 13, 1855, and held the seat until his refusal to accept a new term at the general election of May, 1900. In 1879, the Senate elected him Vice-president, and on August 3, 1880, its President ; he left the chair in 1884. He had also been President of 1' Association liberale de Waremme, and Envoy Extraordinary to the court of Italy. In his letters he frequently referred to the great amount of time consumed by his senatorial duties. His resignation of them, he wrote to an American correspondent, was due to " my age ; the precautions for my health on account of the frequent resi- dence in Brussels during the bad season in winter ; the desire to live in my family for the few years that remain to me ; and above all to enjoy a little liberty which will permit me to work at nos c/iers Odonafes, on which I am very much behindhand on account of the Senate" (letter of June 8, 1900). His first publication on natural history was a few pages de- voted to the birds and insects of the province of Liege in the Dic- tion naire gcographique of that province by Ph. van der Maelen, Brussels, 1831. This was at the same time his first essay on the Odonata, followed in later years by some 114 others to the very December that saw his death. These memoirs and notes, for they are of very varying length, seem naturally to fall into three groups which, to a certain degree, are also chronological. The first group deals almost exclusively with the European ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 35 species and embraces the years from 1831 to 1851. The results are summarized in the two chief works of this period Mono- graphic dcs Libellulidees d' Europe, Paris, 1840, and Revue dcs Odo)iatcs on Libcllulcs i Svs,s < followed, the latter three years later than expected. Five in- installments of the Synopsis dcs . Igr/onii/cs > iS(,(,-65 ) left lh:it group unfinished. Hagen, who had drawn the illustrations for the two preceding monographs. al>o made main- for the pro- 36 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February, jected Monographic des Agrionines, which never saw the light ; the drawings remain at Cambridge, whither Hagen removed in 1867. Materials poured in on de Selys from all parts of the world, necessitating four Additions to the Synopsis of the Cal- opteryginae and four to that of the Gomphinae (1859-1878). A A Synopsis des Cordiilines 1871 and two Additions 1873, 'jS, aP~ peared, and after an interval of eleven years the Synopsis des Agrionines ( 1876, '77) was completed. A brief Synopsis des Aeschnincs 1883 and a Revision dn Synopsis des Agrionines ist part, 1886, close this period. In 1871 he observed that "the publication of the works which I have undertaken has not marched with the rapidity I have desired, the delays arising principally from the continual reception of new material, and from the desire which I have to perfect the classification and to know species already described, but which I have not been able to examine myself." As the improbability of the completion of the Monographs increased, the Synopses became more detailed. The Libellu- linae alone of all the Odonata were never reached. The third group are chiefly faunal papers, and while they began as early as 1857, they did not occupy much of his work- ing time, nor were they extensive until 1878, '79, when two memoirs on the Odonata of New Guinea appeared, followed by others on those of the Philippines 1882, '91, Japan '83, the Palsearctic Diplax '84, Asia Minor and the European fauna '87, Belgium '88, Sumatra '89, the Kirghis steppes '89, and Burma '91. After this date, the papers are shorter and deal with limited groups. There is no space here to discuss de Selys' contributions to knowledge of the Odonata. Early in his career he avowed that he was not an anatomist. But he has created the classifi- cation, he has described the large majority of the known forms. His collection, in 1896, when seen by the writer, was more ex- tensive than any other in the world. His accuracy and careful- ness have never been questioned. Even in his age, his activity and interest never abated, and he seemed to be fully in touch with the suggestions and improvements devised by the same generation of students as that to which his grandchildren belonged. IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 37 He married Sophie Caroline d'Omalius d'Halloy, daughter of a fellow member of the Belgian Academy ; she died many years ago. It was his habit to reside at Longchamps during the Summers, at Liege in Winter. With him dwelt his eldest son and family, a most devoted and vivacious household. The residence at Liege, Boulevard de la Sauveniere 32, contained his general collection of Odonata ; at Longchamps, a building separate from the chateau, contained his extensive collection of European birds and mammals, the former being almost com- plete, and a collection of the insects of Longchamps. To stud}' these collections came visitors from Europe and America, re- ceiving every encouragement and the kindest hospitality. The Master \vas aimiable, and the greatest affection was felt for him. " Venerable and venerated friend," wrote the chief English neuropterist ; " je suis bien desole," came from France with the announcement of his death. For some years past, as each birthday approached, a letter from America extended the best wishes for his ensuing year and reiterated the assurance of personal affection dating from two visits to Longchamps. When he declined to continue as Senator, " my fellow citizens, electors, and a great number of friends and colleagues of the Senate and of the Chamber of Representatives came to make an enormous manifestation at Longchamps, May 24." Probably no other entomologist of these later years has been equally honored by his co-workers. He was Honorary Presi- dent, as he had been the first, of the Entomological Society of Belgium, and honorary or corresponding member of the ento- mological societies in Paris, London, Berlin, Florence, Vienna, Stockholm, Dresden, Stettin, Berne, Helsingfors, Philadelphia, and of the other scientific bodies throughout the worid ; the date of his election as such in the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia is as far back as 1842. In Belgium, he was given the Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold, and he had received several other similar decorations. And now the long and active life is t.-nded. In the truest --ense, do we " recommander son a me a vos pieux souvenirs." P. P. C. 38 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February, Flower and Insect Records from New Mexico. By T. D. A. COCKERELL. The following records are offered as a contribution to the knowledge of the relations between insects and flowers. It is perhaps hardly necessary to say that in New Mexico this sub- ject is a new one, and there is no part of the Territory where half an hour's observations at the right season will not yield unrecorded facts. Unfortunately, however, this ease in mak- ing new observations goes with the greatest difficulty in getting them recorded, for the reason that both flowers and insects are imperfectly understood, and in many cases only identified by the expenditure of much time, or through the assistance of specialists. Even many of the conspicuous roadside flowers have lately proved to be undescribed, and there still exists an uncomfortable possibility that several of the now-accepted names may require revision, although they are endorsed by the best authorities. A being from another planet, after visiting one of our great city markets, might be so impressed by the variety of foods offered for sale as to report that mankind ate everything, was literally omnivorous. So a casual observer of the habits of in- sects might infer that they visited all sorts of flowers, and that it was useless to make records of flower-vists. Close study, however, shows us that this is far from being the case, and even those species which visit many kinds still have pre- ferences and their aversions. At the same time it must not be inferred in any case that the insects reported to visit a flower are the only ones visiting it ; for setting aside those which may have been collected but not yet identified, no flower has yet been watched sufficiently for us to make an exhaustive list of its insect- visitors. COMMELINACE^:. Cvmmelina dianthifolia D. C. — Visited by Boinbus prunellas Ckll. Iris missouricnsis Nutt. — Visited by Bombus iridis Ckll. and Porter, /?. ternarius Say, and B.ju.vtus Cress. 1901] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 39 SALICACE.E. Sali.v sp., at Mesilla, May 4, 1897 (Ckll.). The following bees at the tt\<;i(/iiris Ckll. var. ; Dipt.: Teta- nops polita Coq., det. Coq.; Chlaropx assitnilis Macq., det. Coq. (2) Mesilla, April 22iid ; Hym.: Agapostemon te.ranus Cress., 9. (3) Mesilla Park, April 2yth ; Hym.: Apis mellifera ligustica Spin. 40 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February, CAPPARIDACEyE. Clcome serntlata Pursh. — The following insects were all collected on the flowers at Las Vegas in 1899 :— Hym. : Halictus sisymbrii Ckll., 9 , July (Ckll. and \V. H. Rishel); Agapostemon texanus Cress., 9. fuly (N. Stern and A. Garlick); Andrena argemonis Ckll., 9, July 20th (W. Porter); Anthidium parvum Cress., £ 9, June 23rd (Ckll.); A. perpictum Ckll., £ , August ist (Ckll.); Melissodes agilis Cress., £ var., July iyth (A. Garlick); M. gilensis Ckll., 9, July 20-22 (W. Porter); M. grindclice Ckll., 9, July 22 (W. Porter); M. pallidicincta Ckll., 9, July (Ckll., N. Stern); M. tristis Ckll., £, (probably the £ of pallidicincta}, July 2oth (Ckll.); Anthophora cardui Ckll., £ , July nth (Ckll.); A. cleomis Ckll., 9, August ist (VV. Porter); A. montana Cress., 9, July (M. Winters, N. Stern, A. Garlick); A. occidentalis Cress., 9. July 2oth (W. Porter); Ccelio.vys rufitarsis Sin., 'S.July nth (Ckll.); Megachile cleomis Ckll., I 9, July (N. Stern, W. Porter, etc.); M. latimanus Say, 9 , July (Ckll., N. Stern, M. Winters); Boinbus americanarum Fabr.; B. morrisoiii Cress; B. hevadensis cressoni Ckll ; Apis mellifera ligustica Spin.; Pelopceus servillei Lep., July loth ; Sphc.v (Chaly- bion] sp.; Asta/asp.; Sphex ichneumonea L., July 22nd (W. Por- ter). Diptera : Odontomyia inczqualis Loew. det. Coq., August ist; Compsomyia macellaria Fab., July nth; Eristalis latifrons Loew., July nth ; Lucilia sp., Silvius sp. ; Lep.: Colias eurytheme eriphyle Edw.,^, July 2; Pyramcis cardui L., July i5th (W. H. Rishel); Papilio sp. ; Ctenucha venosa Walk., July i6th (N. Stern); C. crcssonana Grote, July i2th (W. H. Rishel). Hemip. : Lygtzus reclivatus Say, July nth ; Murgantia histrionica Hahn, July nth (M. Winters, N. Stern). Coleop.: Nemognatha bicolor Lee., July 5th (N. Stern); Hippodamia convergers Guer. , July nth, very abundant; Zonitis atripennis July loth, abundant; Clerus abruptus Lee., July TO; Cantharis biguttata}v\-y nth (N. Stern). SAXIFRAGACE^E. Philadelphus argyrocaly.v Wooton. — Dipt.: Vohicella anna Willist. ; vide Townsend, Pr. Texas Acad., 1897, p. 53, where the plant is given as P. scrpyllifolius. Kibes sp. (wild gooseberry). — Hym.: Vespa diabolica fernaldi Lewis, Beulah, May 30 th (W. Porter). Ribes sp. (wild gooseberry). — Hym.: Osniia ribijloyis Ckll., 9, O. //;>- naria Say, var. and 9, Ccelio.vys ribis Ckll., 9, Anthophora por- tcrtz Ckll., £; Dipt : Epalpics signifera Wralker ; all at Romers- ville, April 2gth (W. Porter). ROSACE.-E. paraifo.va acinninata Wooton. — Flowers large, 26-40 mm. across (mostly of the larger size); stamens large, with large anthers ; car- IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 4! pels concealed to the last in the bottom of the flower, their tips not above the level of the bases of the stamens ; bracts and sepals fre- quently divided. Hym : Apis mellifera ligustica Spin., very many, April 3oth, May 3rd ; Agapostemon splcndens Lep. var. 9 (new to N. M ). April 3oth ; Colletes sp.; Halictns sisymbrii Ckll., 9 , April 3oth ; Halictoides fimbriatus (Cress.), 9 var. (new to N. M.), April 3oth ; Philanthus aff. albopilosus, May 3rd ; Sp/iccodes aff. fortioi , May 3rd ; Dipt.: Compsomyia macellaria Fabr., April 3oth. Lep.: Pyrameis cardui L., April 3Oth ; Anosia stigosa Bates, April 3oth. All near Mesilla Park. Fallugia micrantha n. sp. or var. Flowers small, 23 26 mm. diam.; carp-ls protruding, forming a green blunt cone, longer than the stamens, which are small, with small anthers ; sepals rounded-trun- cate, with a green acuminate appendage about 2 mm. long, occa- sionally with two appendages ; bracts linear, entire and simple, zY^-^Yz mm. long ; leaves and stems like acuminata. Hym.: O.vy- belus sp ; Apis mellifera ligustica Spin. ; Phi/anthus aff. albopilosus. Hemip.: Phymata fascia/a Gray. All near Mesilla Park, May 3rd. When first I found F. micrantha I thought it might be a dimorphic from of F. paradoxa acuminata, tending toward a dioecious condition, but against this is the fact that both forms fruit abundantly ; and while some plants of acuminata were observed to have less fruit than usual, others were covered with fruit. Neither is the difference described owing to any difference in the age of the flowers ; it is equally apparent in the old flowers and in the unopened buds. I therefore treat F. micrantha as a species, at least pending any proof which may be offered to the contrary. Wooton's acuminata was intended to include all the Fallugias of this re- gion, the differences in the flower not having been noticed ; but one of Wooton's original specimens, in his herbarium, and also Torrey's figure which he cites pertain to the form here designated acuminata. Potentilla thurberi Gray. — Hym.: Bonibus monardc? Ckll. and Porter; B. prunellce Ckll. ; Megachile for/is Cress. ; Colletes gilensis Ckll., £ ; Vespa occidentaiis Cress. All taken on the Rio Ruidoso by C. H. T. Townsend. This Potentilla has dark red flowers. Rosa neome.vicana Ckll. =fendlcri Wats, (part), not of Crepin. The insects here recorded were found on the flowers of this rose in Me- silla ; the roses had been planted, and do not grow wild anywhere in the vicinity. On May 4, 1894, I collected the bees Prosopis nic- si//«"Ck\\., "b, Agapostemon sp., 9, and Diadasia apacha Cress. On April 27, 1898, Mr. C. M. Barber collected the bees Apis wclli- fera L., Augoclilora ncglectula Ckll., Halictus artnaliceps Cres^., H. sisymhrii Ckll., //. oleosus Ckll., I'msopis mcsillts Ckll., and Ceralina nanula Ckll., Rosa ncoinc r/< ana grows wild in the Sacra- mento Mountains, N. M.; it is closely allied to R. woodsii* * Kasa nfoinc.iica.iui was collected in plenty by Prof. E. O. VVooton at Cloudcroft, N. M.; I have also seen it there. It differs from sayi by the leaflets cuneate at base, teeth simple or slightly compound ; from ifoodsii by the much taller stature (olten 6 ft. high or 42 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February, Prunus (cultivated plum).— (i) Mesilla, 1897 ; Andrena fracia Casad and Ckll., £, March 24; Halictns ainicus Ckll., 9, April 4; liombus sp., Thee la halesits and Diabrotica i2-punctata April isth, the last mentioned eating the pollon. (2) Mesilla Park, April 13-14, 1898 ; Hym . : Andrena prunorum Ckll.; A. fracia, Csd. and Ckll., many; .-/. monilicarnis Ckll. ; .-/. sa/ieine//a Ckll. ; Anthophora macnli- frons Cress. ; Halictus pruinosus Rob ; Bomboinelecta to>ii Ckll.; Lep.: Synch/a- laiinia Geyer, many ; Dipt.: Bibio pa/Hpes Say, det. Coq., also Erisfalis, I'oluceHa and Ceria. Prunus (wild plum).— Hym.: Jlombns fen/arins Say ; B.ju.vtus Cress., Megachile pollicaris pereximia Ckll , £ ; Andrena sapettoiiis Ckll.; ^4. z//V/V/^ Smith ; F<:'.9/>.\, Ckll., £ ; . -///.v inellifera ligustica Spin. more), and small solitary flowers; from blanda by the infrastipular spines normally in pairs, and the solitary flowers ; from aciculata (Ckll. described as blanda. var ) by similar characters. The flowers of neomexicana are sometimes two or three together, but then only one fruit seems to mature. The fruits are small, scarlet, oblong. Sepals entire. with more or less foliaceous tips. Stipules entire, but glandular-margined. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 43 Meliloiits alba Desv.— Hym.: Philanthus frontalis Cress., 9- Dipt.: Nanolelus unicolor Loew, det. Coq. Both at Las Vegas, August 9th (Wilmatte Porter). Trifo/iitui. rt'pens L. — Hym.: Mclissodes pallidicincta Ckll., 9> Las. Vegas, July 3rd (N. Stern). Liipiinis sifgreavesii Wats. — Hym.: Jiouibus nevadensis aztecus Ckll. As(raga/iis /ininisfralHS Gray. — Hym.: Afcgachile fortis Cress., Rio Rui- doso (Tovvnsend). I'icia sp. prob. ne\v, near />///<-//<•//cinl' Lep., 9 ; CoIIetex ^ilcusix Ckll., ^ ; Cn'lio.Yys gilcnsis Ckll., £9; Bombus fervid us Fab. ; B. sonar us Say ; B. jn.v/iis Cress.; />'. ttTiinriiis Say; B. pninellie Ckll. All collected by C. H. T. Townsend on the Rio Ruidoso. Prof. Woototi considers this Vicia distinct from ]'. piilchclla, and knows of no name that can be applied to it. A New Ceratina from New Mexico. By T. D. A. COCKKRELL. Ceratina neomexicana n. sp. Female. — Length 7/2=9 mm. ; dark green ; occiput dark blue ; meso- thorax with a slight coppery tint at the sides of the middle ; first three segments of abdomen dorsally rather olive green ; clypeus with a broad- pyriform cream-colored patch ; ends of tubercles also cream-colored or ivory-white ; wings strongly suffused with reddish brown ; nervines and stigma dark. Allied to C. dupla Say, but usually larger and easily dis- tinguished by the more sparsely-punctured face, with a shining impunc- tate supraclypeal space, and similar spaces above the lateral pieces of the clypeus ; the sides of the vertex very sparsely punctured ; the mesothorax smooth and shining, with sparse punctures on the anterior third , and rather close punctures round the edges, but otherwise impunctate ; cheeks with small and very sparse punctures, a broad band behind the eyes impunc- tate ; punctures of middle of abdominal segments smaller and sparser than in dupla ; flagellum black above, last six joints reddish brown beneath. Hab. — Chicarico Canon, near Raton, N. M., Aug. 25, 1900 (Ckll. ) ; Santa Fe, N. M.. July 10 (Boyle), July 7, at flowers of Aquilc^ia (Ckll. ). MRS. E. M. SWAINSON, 2131 Guildford Ave., Baltimore, Md., will col- lect in Jamaica, commencing about April ist. She will be pleased to hear from anyone interested in Jamaica insects. 44 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February, A New Species of Dolichopus from Texas. By CHARLES T. BRUES. The genus Dolichopus is very poorly represented in the Texas fauna. In the vicinity of Austin we have taken only two species, one of which is an undescribed form. The other, Fore tarsus (r?) Dolichopus sphaeristes. D. ramifcr, is very common, and is frequently seen at consid- erable distances from any water, often upon the vegetation of the dry hill-sides. The new species is described below. Dolichopus sphaeristes sp. nov. Bright green. Antennae, except part of third joint, yellow. Femora yellow. Cilia of inferior orbit pale. Tegular cilia black. Fourth longi- tudinal vein not broken. Hind tibia? and tarsi at base yellow. Fourth and fifth joints of male fore tarsi enlarged, black ; the fifth bilobed and with a large snow-white empodium. Male. — Length 6 mm. ; of wing 5 mm. Bright coppery green, moder- ately shining. Face rather narrow, ochraceous, much lighter on lower .fourth. Palpi light yellow. Antennae yellow, except a black spot at in- sertion of arista and the infuscated tip of the third joint. Third joint short, oval, obtusely rounded at the tip. Arista black, about one and one-half times the length of the antennae, distinctly pubescent. Vertex shining green. Post-ocular cilia, except three upper ones, pale yellow. Thorax slightly yellowish pollinose in front. Pleurae darker and white pollinose. Coxae pale yellow, except a black stain on middle pair ex- ternally. Anterior ones bare, except for a row of black hairs along the apical external edge. Middle ones sparsely black hairy anteriorly. Ab- domen green at base and coppery posteriori)'. Last segment and hypo- pygium black. Internal appendages of hypopygium pale ferruginous. Lamellae gradually narrowed toward base and obliquely arcuate at apex ; white, narrowly and sharply bordered with black on the apical half ; strongly bristly at apical angle, elsewhere almost devoid of bristles : with a region of black punctures near anterior angle. Legs yellow, except last two joints of anterior tarsi, which are black ; and four posterior tarsi, which are gradually infuscated beyond tip of first joint. Last two joints -of anterior tarsi much enlarged and fringed with black hairs on anterior edge. The fifth slightly bilobed at apex, part of the joint forming a sort of appendage. Empodium very large, snow-white, almost as large as fifth joint. Posterior tibiae greatly thickened, especially near base, as IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 45 stout as the femora. Facii tibia lias an elongate bare space on inner side on basal half. Wings hyaline, rather narrow at base. Costa distinctly thickened at tip of first vein. Fourth vein not sharply angulate. Incision at tip of fifth vein well marked. Austin, Texas, May, 1900. This species is readily recognized by the peculiar ornamenta- tion of the male fore tarsus and the configuration of the pos- terior tibiae. The front tarsi approach most closely to D. 6- articulatits L,w. from which they differ by their very small appendage. It is a peculiar form. A New Callimorpha. BY H. D. MERRICK. I wish to describe through the NEWS what appears to be a new variety of Callimorpha lecontei, for which I propose the name ' ' dyan'i ' in remembrance of the many courtesie- showrn to me by Dr. Dyar during a recent visit to the National Museum. In color, this fly is a uniform creamy yellow, with all the markings of Iccontfi. It appears with it together with an immaculate form similar to vcstalis, but of the same yellow tint. I have taken this fly for three seasons, near New Brighton. Pa. 1 IIAVK lately received a note from a very intelligent and observing teacher, whom I asked to note the positions of the baggy and slender Cecropia cocoons in a region where they abound. She says that the baggy otu-s were high as well as low, " about even," while all the slender ones were low. She sent me between fifty and sixty after supplying some of the teachers, so she had a fair amount of material to observe. I have been testing these by weight, and so far I find that the heavier cocoons always gave 9 9 an to the surface on which it rests. There are no thoracic breathing tubes and openings, as described for l\ riconia by Miall, but simply a pair of spiracles at the posterior tip of the abdomen, anal spiracles. 48 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February, lying just between the strongly haired clavate processes shown in the figures. In the examination of nearly one hundred speci- mens ( killed by various killing reagents and preserved in alco- hol) I find no trace of any anal tracheal gills as described by Muller for the Brazilian larvae. But Muller expressly states that these gills can be retracted ( are always retracted in fact when the larva is above the water), it is possible that my larvae are provided with them. If so they must be very small and delicate, for they have escaped my observation and numer- ous dissections.* The pupae ( Fig. 2, A) are found in the same places with the Pupa Periconui culifornica Kiiicaiil. A, dorsal aspect ; B. prothoracic breathing tube. larvae, although usually a little higher on the rocks and are thus less wetted. They are broadly shield-shaped, flat and adherent, quite of the general character of Blepharocerid pupae, but less convex and of course much smaller. They are 2.5 mm. long and 2 mm. wide at the middle. They have a pair of short clavate prothoric breathing tubes. These organs are not com- posed of several lamellae, as with the Blephoroceridae, but are single, sub-cylindrical and have a fine mesh-work covering c- I shall have opportunity to see living larva- again next March, this point can be settled then. I90l] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 49 (Fig. 2, B). The dorsal wall of the pupa is firm, being fairly strongly chitinized. The flat ventral surface adherent to the rock is unchitinized, and the folded wings and legs lie uncov- ered, although of course perfectly protected by the dorsal wall. There are no sucking discs on the ventral surface of the pupa, but the adherence is, nevertheless, sufficient to prevent the B Pfficoma ci'ifornica Kincaid. \, ventral aspect ; B, dorsal aspect. pupae from being carried away by the occasional splashes of water which strike them. The pupae were more plentiful than larvae by April 5th, and adults were issuing at this time. Pupae were found, however, at the same time, March ist, that the larvae were first noted. I may add to this brief account of the immature stages of Pericoma calif oruica that I found on July 25th in a small stream in the Rocky mountains of Larimer County, Colorado, two pupae evidently Psychodid but different from the pupae of the California!! Pericoma. The prothoracic breathing tubes of the Colorado form were long and tapering and flexible ; the shape and general flat shield-shaped adherent character of the bo-1; was the same as in l\ricoma californica. 5O ENTOMOLOGICAL NEVs. [February, Lecanium caryae Fitch. BY GKO. E. KING, Lawrence, Mass. There seems to be considerable confusion about Fitch's Lc- cauiinu carvu\ Tliis original description is "Fixed to the bark of the small limbs a large, very convex oval scale of a black color fading to chestnut-brown, in May, dusted over with a white powder. Length often .40 by .25 in width." The type specimens have apparently been destroyed, at least they can- not now be found. The confusion seems to have arizen from a species sent by Fitch to Signoret, who took it to be L. carver, and described it as having a six-jointed antennae, with the third joint very long and the female scale 6 mm. long. It is quite evident that this could not be Fitch's L. carytf, as his scale was 10 mm. long and 612 broad. What I take to be L. carycc is a species which I have found on pignut hickory, wild red cherry, and once on white oak ; the same species has just recently been sent me by Dr. Fletcher, found on peach at Niagara, Ont. Some of these scales were of the same size as Fitch's, while others were some- what larger. The following is a description of them : 9 scale very large, ii1- mm. long, 91- broad, 31.-J high; dark red- brown ; soft, while on the limbs in May, and more or less cov- ered with a white power ; anal cleft il? mm. long. Antennas stout, distinctly seven jointed. The measurements are in mi- cromillimeters. Antennal joints ( r ) 28, (2) 28, (3) 92, (4) 40, (5) 20, (6) 24, (7) 40. Width ( i ) So, (2) 72, (3)44, i 4 ) 40, ( 5 > 32, ('6) 28, ( 7 ) 24. The number of hairs on the several joints seem to be variable and they generally point longi- tudinally. The first joint seems to have two ; the second, one long one ; the fifth, one very long ; the sixth, two, short ; and the seventh seems to have eight. Marginal spines 44 long and 8 broad at the base, points sharp, spaces between each two ad- jacent spines about 60. The derm become quite clear when boiled in caustic potash, and shows gland pits of two sixes, with the usual other markings found in the subgenus Enlcca- nimii. This species should be easily recognized by its stout 7- jointed antenna?, and the very large size of the scale, being flu- largest species found. Habitat, North America. igOl] KXTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 51 There is not the slightest doubt but the above described spe- cies is Fitch's /, . carya', 1X56, found on C'ar_va alba. libliograuhy. — Report of the Noxious and other Insects of the State of New York, by Asa Fitch, 1856, p. 443. The hickory bark-lou<-<-, Leca/iinui carya: \\. sp. U. S. Agr. Rpt., 1880, p. 364, C/n/oi/t'iinis a/biconiis (a parasite). Mr. J. D. Putnam bred seven of the above parasites from L. caryce in his collection at Davenport, Iowa. Insect Life, vol. 3, 1890, p. 383. In the description of L. pruinosum by D. W. Coquillett, he says: "Among all the descriptions of the species of Lecaiiinui, to which I have access, none agree so well with the present species as does Dr. Fitch's description of his L. carycc ; but Prof. Riley has compared specimens and finds carycg to be much larger." Fifth Rpt., U. S. Entom. Com., 1890, p. 298, is a copy of Fitch's descrip- tion of L. caryff. Can. Ent, vol. 27, p. 254, 1^95, Prof. Cockerel!, in his description of L. cauadeiise, refers to Signoret's description of L. caiytr, but not of Fitch, 1856. Can. Ent., vol. 30, 1898, p. 293, Prof. Cockerel!, in his description of L. carya mm, refers to Signoret's species and considers it to be very similar to if not identical with Fitch's L. cynosbati. Can. Ent., vol. 31, 1899, p. 141. The present writer cites /,. carycc being found by him in Massachusetts. The Industrialist, April, 1899, p. 234, Prof. Cockerell refers to L. caryce in his descriptive notes on L. ribis Fitch. Notes on Aleurodidae. BY H. O. WOOIAVOKTH, Champaign, 111. Tlie appearance last July of Bulletin No. S, Technical Series, Div. of Ent., U. S. Dept. of Agric., by Prof. A. L,. Quaintance, entitled : " Contributions Toward a Monograph of the Ameri- can Aletirodidie," brought to the writer's attention this much neglected family. In Illinois there were reported by that paper only three spe- cies upon as many hosts. Therefore the writer decided to us live kin^s of Aieurodids were found. 52 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February, Host plants of Aleurodes pergandei (juaint. The present paper will be devoted to the host plants of one— the prettiest of these little insects : Aleurodes pergandei Quaint. The pupal form alone will be considered. The plants will be considered in the systematic botanic order of Gray. RUTACE^E. NORTHERN PRICKLY ASH. Xanthoxylum americamim. Specimens found on under side of leaves, August 23, 1900, about one-half mile east of Urbana and noticed quite often north and east of Urbana until the last of September, when the writer went to Pekin for a month. They were always scarce, never more than three upon one leaf. ROSACES. CULTIVATED PLUM. Primus sp.* One specimen was found in Champaign, 111., as early as August 13, 1900, and on September 12, 1900, several speci- mens wrere taken from two trees at the University grounds. The}r w^ere not abundant. CULTIVATED DWARF PLUMS. Prunus sp. Few collected September 12, 1900, from plant at the Experi- ment Station ground in Urbana. FLOWERING ALMOND. Primus Amydalus nana. On September 20, 1900, after a few7 minutes' careful search, a few specimens were found in Mt. Hope Cemetery — south of Urbana. PEACH. Prunus (Amyydalus) persica. From the i st of August until the last of September speci- mens could be found upon nearly every peach tree about Cham- paign and Urbana, but apparently only upon the lower and more shaded leaves. They were scarce, never more than twelve being found upon a single tree. * See p. 32 of Prof. A. L. Quaintance's paper for additional localities. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 53 BLACKBERRY. Rnbus villosus. Found first upon berry-bush 2/_> miles northeast of Urbana, September 5, 1900 ; next near Insectary, IT. of I. grounds, Urbana, November 17, 1900, and later as follows : U. of I. forest, Urbana, November 26, 1900 ; December 17, 1900; Janu- ary 18, 1901; woods north of Urbana, December i7th, but feu- specimens taken at a time. Of those collected in wood, De- cember 17, 1900, two were upon upper surface of a curled leaf. RED HAWS. Crataegus mollis and Crataegus sps. On August 22, 1900, about 1^4 miles north of Urbana were found upon the lower leaves a large number of specimens. From then until the last of September some specimens were seen upon nearly every red haw plant. Some leaves had as man}" as fifteen upon them. They were especially abundant in dark places. At Pekiu, 111., October u, 1900, some were found upon three leaves. ENGLISH HAW. Crataegus oxycantha. On October 30, 1900, in a yard in the western part of Cham- paign, two specimens were found upon a leaf. WILD-CRAB. Pyrus coronaria. About the ist of September and throughout that month quite a number of specimens were taken from the lower leaves in crab thickets. They were not found upon isolated trees. SAXIFRAGACE/E. Hydrangea sp.* CAPRIFOLIACEj;. SNOW BALL. Viburnum opulus. Few leaves with specimens collected at Mt. Hope Cemetery, south of Urbana, on September 18-20, 1900. Not collected at yet upon this plant in Illinois. 54 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February, BIGNONIACE^E. TRUMPET CREEPER. Bignonia radicans. On August 16, 1900, at the University grounds were collec- ted several specimens, and from then until the last of Septem- ber occasionally noted in same locality. On September 20, 1900, some were found in Champaign, 111. OLEACE^E. FRINGE TREE. Chionanthus virginica. On August 13 and 30, 1900, some specimens were taken ii: the western part of Champaign. They were noted* at intervals of about two weeks between the above dates. In conclusion, the Illinois localities are added to those of Quaintance (Wash., D. C., Ga., Va. . The host list for Illinois includes all but one species ( Hy- drangea], besides adding several to those found elsewhere. Trees, shrubs and a vine are among the hosts, representing six botanical families and thirteen species. Each family, except Rosaceae, is represented by a single species. This seems to show that Alcnrodcs pcrgandci prefers the plants of the rose family. From the above paper, one may infer that in this locality this year it preferred the red haws. What seemed strange to the writer was that not a single specimen of Alcurodcs pergandci was among the number of Alourodids on leaves of red haw, crab, etc., collected in Mil- waukee, Wis. , the last week of August, 1900, from which the writer concludes they are very scarce if present in the vicinity of Milwaukee. Further investigation alone can settle that point. Again, although they are usually found upon the lower sur- face of the leaves, yet they were, on December 17, 1900, found upon the upper surface. This species has been collected on the 2oth of May in Geor- gia, and seen almost continually from the ist of August to the last of September in Illinois ; afterward at intervals to January 4, 1901. This leads the writer to think that it may K possible to collect this species throughout the year in the form of pupa. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL Ni-.ws solicit and will thankfully receive items of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.] To Contributors. — All contributions will be considered and passed upon at our earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep- tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL XHVVS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five '' extras," without change in foim, will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged. — Kn. PHILADELPHIA, PA., FEBRUARY, 1901. IT is interesting to observe the comparatively slow growth of science along some lines and to see how most important facts are overlooked until attention is attracted to them by si ma- great event that appeals to many minds at once and cans* great awakening. The large mortality from typhoid fever during the late Spanish-American war has created a wide- spread interest in the subject of the transmission of disease- by inst-cts, and main- important papers have recently appeared bearing on this subject. At the present time the importance of these studies and observations is fully recognized, and there- is absolutely no doubt that insects play a most important part as ;etological factors in disease. To show the comparatively slow growth of the subject, it may be mentioned that in iSoj ])r. John Crawford, in the "Baltimore Observer," published a paper on the " Mosquital Origin of Malarial Disease." The "New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal," vol. iv, pp. 563-601, 1848, contains an article by Dr. Josiah Xott, in which he mentioned that the " mosquito of the lowlands" was the cause of malaria. In 1871, Dr. Joseph Leidy stated his belief that hospital gangrene was disseminated by house-flies ( 1'; Acad. Xat. Sci. Phila., 23, 297 >. Dr. A. F. A. King deserves great credit for his brilliant article published in the " Popular 55 56 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February, Science Monthly," 23, 644, 1883, entitled "Mosquitoes and Malaria." The later literature should be known to all inter- ested in this subject. It is amusing to find some recent writers in medical journals claiming priority for observations which were in reality made before they were born. Entomological Literature. COMPILED BY P. P. CALVERT. Under the above head it is intended to mention papers received at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia pertaining to the Entomology of the Americas (North and South). Articles irrelevant to American entomology will not be noted. Contribu- tions to the anatomy, physiology and embryology of insects, however, relating to Ameri- can or exotic species, will be recorded. The numbers in HEAVY-FACED TYPE refer to the journals, as numbered in the following list, in which the papers are published ; * denotes that the paper in question contains descriptionsof new North American forms. Titles of all articles in foreign languages are translated into English; usually such articles are written in the same language as the title of the journal containing them, but when such articles are in other languages than English, French, German or Italian, this fact is indicated in brackets. 4. The Canadian Entomologist, London, Ont., Jan., '01. — 5. Psyche, Cambridge, Mass., Jan., '01. — 6. Journal of the New York Entomologi- cal Society, Dec., 'oo.— 9. The Entomologist, London, Jan., '01. — 12. Comptes Rendus. L'Academie des Sciences, Paris, 'oo. — 21. The Ento- mologist's Record, London, Dec. 15, 'oo. — 24. Berliner Entomologische Zeitschrift, xlv, 1-2, Aug., 3-4, Dec., 'oo. — 32. Bulletin du Museum d'His- toire Naturelle, Paris, 'oo.— 3(>. Transactions, Entomological Society of London, 'oo, pt. iv, Dec. 24. — 37. Le Naturaliste Canadien, Chicoutimi, Quebec, Dec. 30, 'oo. — 51. Novitates Zoologicae, vii, 3, Tring, England, Dec., 'oo. — 74. Naturvvissenschaftliche Wochenschrift, Berlin, 'oo.— 85. Bulletin, Societe des Sciences Naturelles de 1'Ouest de la France, x, 3, Nantes, Sept. 30, 'oo. — 8Ga. Annales, Soci6t6 Entomologique de France, '99, Trimestres 1, July, '99 ; 2 Nov., ,99 ; 3 Feb , 'oo ; 4 June, 'oo ; all rec'd. Jan., '01. — 86l>, Bulletin of the same for 1899; rec'd. Jan., '01.— 87. Revue Scitntifique, Paris, 'oo. — 89. Zoologische Jahrbiicher, Abthei- lung fiir Systematik, etc., xiv, 2, Jena, Dec. 4, 'oo. — 14O. Proceedings. Washington Academy of Sciences, ii. Papers from the Harriman Alaska Expedition, Dec. 20, 'oo, unless otherwise dated. THE GENEltAL SUBJECT.— Beutemmiller, W. Ento- mological writings of the late Rev. George D Hulst, C. — Brown, A. \V. [Arachnida, Myriopoda, Prototracheata] Sharp, I). [Insects]. The Zoological Record, xxxvi, Records of Zoological literature relating chiefly to the year 1899. London, 'co. — Coupiii, H. The sentiment of death in animals, 87, Dec. 22. — Gadean de Kerville, H. Observations on the utility of radiography in entomological works, 8(>b, 4. — Hand- lirseli, A. On socalled "local faunas" and especially on Gabriel ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 57 Strobl's ' Styrian Hemiptera,1 Verhandlungen, zoologisch-botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien, 1, 9, Dec. 7, 'oo. — 3Iarshall, G. A. K. Conscious protective resemblance. Remarks on this paper by Poultoii, K- B. The Zoologist, London, Dec. 15, 'oo — Kedikorzew, AV. Researches on the structure of the ocelli of insects, figs., 2 pis., Zeitschnft fur wissen- schaftliche Zoologie, Ixviii, 4, Leipsic, Dec. 4, 'oo. — Stichel H. et al. [Discussions on mimicry in the Proceedings of the Berlin Society], U4, 3-4. — de Varigiiy, H. Animal chemists, 87, Dec. 29. — Weeks, A. ; Cyplindcn-is wo/is/rosa, 4.— Therese, Princess of Bavaria, Insects collected on a journey to South America (cont. ) ; the new Orthoptera de- scribed by Bruiiner, the new Odonata by de Selys-Loiig-chaiuim and Brauer, 24, 3-4.— Walker, E. 31. Notes on some Ontario Acridiidce, iv, 4. NEUKOPTERA. -Banks, N. Neuropteruicl insect:;,- 2 pis. [excl. Odonata], 14O.— Brauer, F., de Selys-Loiig-elianips, E« See Orthoptera.— Enderlein, G. The Psocid fauna of Peru, rigs., 2 pis., 8i>; I<:pipsocns ciliatns Hagen, a Psocid of the Amber and the re- cent Peruvian E. ncpos n. sp., 24, 1-2.— Lucas, W. J. British Dragon- flies (Odonata), London : L. Upcott Gill. 1900. Svo. Pp. xiv, 356. 57 text figs., 27 colored pis. HEMIPTERA.— Baker, C. F. Notes on Macropsls and Agallia (Jassidse), 5.— Ball, E. I). New Jassidce from the Rocky Mountain and Pacific region,* 4.— Distant, W. L. Contributions to a knowledge of the Rhynchota, i pi. [includes a section on Central American species | 156.— Knock, F. Oviposition of Kanatra, 06, Proceedings. — Heid*1- inanii, O. Heteroptera, 14O.— Hopkins, A. J_>. See iM-onomic Entomology.— King-, G. B. Coccida- of the Harvard Botumr.tl T.ar- dens, *">.— Kirkalrty, G. AV. The stridulation of Corixa (Rliynchol figs., «.).— Peryande, T. Aphidida-,* 14O.— Keed, E. C. Syno] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 59 of the Hemiptera of Chile (cont. ), Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, Valparaiso, Oct., Nov., 'oo — Sclnvarz, 1C. A. Psyllida-, 14O. COLrEOPTERA.— Beaulieu, G. Scaraha -iti.i -> t the proviiK • Quebec (cont.), '57. — Belon, P. Description of a new Mcfapitthahnus. from Mexico,"" 8<>b, 3.— Bordas, L. Researches on the male genital organs of some Cerambycidce, i pi , SOa, 3.— Bourgeois, J. Malaco- dermata of the journey of E. Simon in Venexuela, 8Oa, i ; Diagnoses of new or little known Lycida?, 8Ga, 4. — Breiiske, E. The Scrica spe- cies of the earth, monographically tre;ited (cont.) [Ethiopian region], 24, 1-2. — Doiickier de Doiiceel, H. Systematic catalogue of the Hispi- cht-. 86a, 4 — Fletiaux, E. Eucnemida; of the Voyages of E. Gounelle in Brazil, 8<>a, i.— Gomielle, E. Description of a new type of aber- rant Prionine, figs. [= Migdolus Westw., Fainnaire, 8<»b, 3]. 8<»b, i. — Jacoby, M. Descriptions of new species and a new genus of South American Euniolpidae, with remarks on some of the genera,* 36. — Le- veille, A. Studies on the family Temnochilidse,*86a, 4. — Mattbews^ A. A monograph of the Coleopterous families Coryloplncke and Sphaeri- id:e. Edited by P. B. Mason. 9 pis. London : Janson. 1899.* — I(U Trichopterygia illustrata et descripta. A monograph of the Trichoptery- gia. Supplement. Edited by P. B. Mason. With 7 plates. London : Janson, 1900. — Olivier, E. Contribution to study of the Lampyrida.-, 8(»b, 4. — Pie, 31. Diagnoses of Coleoptera of the globe, L'Echange, •Revue Linneenne, Moulins, Dec., 'oo. — He^iilibart, M. Revision of the Dytiscidse of the Indo-chinese-malaysian region figs.. 8<>a, 2.— Schwnrz. E. A. Coleoptera,* 14O — Tsebitscheriiie, T. On the employment of the names Feronia and Platysina and on the relationship of Za'inis with Amara, 8(H>, 4.— Wiekliam, H. F. E/codesm Iowa ; The Scydnuenid:'- and Pselaphidfe occurring near Iowa City, Iowa, I\<- port, Iowa Academy of Sciences, 1899. — Td. Two new blind beetles of the genus s-ldrain'sinnn the Pacific coast, tigs.,* 4; See also Hymenoptera, IHPTEKA.— Becker, T. Dipterological studies, v: Pipunmlida-, 24. 3-4. — Chaj«'iioii, G. Syrphidaj of the province of Quebec dent I57-— Coekerell, T. 1). A. A new Cecidomyid on Gutierrezia, :;4.— Coquillett, I>- W. See Hymenoptera.— Giles, G. 3T. A Handbook of the gnats or mosquitoes giving the anatomy and life history of the Cu- hcicia-. London. Bale, Sons & Danielsson. 1900. Pp. xi, 374. 10 t«-.\t fig's., 8 pis.— Graenicber, S. The Syrphida; (f Milwaukee County [Wisronsin], Bulletin, Wisconsin Natural History Society (n. s ), i, 3, Milwaukee, July, 'oo — Hine, J. S. Change of name [in 7. On the Gregarine^ of Diptera and descriptinn of a new sp.-cirs from the intestine of larva- of '/'<;• ;/r/V\, rigs., 8<»a, 3 — t,-ra : a contri'mtion to knowledge of tin-- cyclorrhaphous Dipterous larvae, 3 pis.. Si). — Hotlis- ebild, N. ('. Notes on Pulex avium Tasrhb., i pi., *>1. KEPI lM>lkTEUA.— Adams, C. ('. The Luna and Polyphemus nioihs, i col. pi., Birds and Nature, Chicago, Nov., 1900. The 6o ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February, and Promethea moths, i col. pi., id., Dec., 'oo.— Beutenmuller, W. Two new Sesiidae,* G. — Busck, A. A new Canadian Tineid,* 4; New American Tineina,* O, — Chapman, T. A. The egg of Cossits ore Streck., with some notes on the e^g of C. ligniperda, 21. — l>yar, H. (Jr. Lepidoptera* [containing descriptions by . Hulst, W. Beiiteiimiillcr, C. H. Feruald], 14O. — Dyar, H. G. Life histories of North American Geometridae, xviii, 5. — French, G. H. Revision of the genus Catocala, 4.— Grose- Smith, H. Rhopalocera Exotica. Part 54. London: Gurney & Jack- son. Oct., 1900. 3 col. pis. — Hiul.son, G. V. New Zealand Moths and Butterflies (Macro-Lepidoptera). With 13 plates [11 colored]. Lon- don : West, Newman & Co, 1896. 410.— Hulst, G. D. New species •of Lepidoptera,* (>.— de Joaimis, J. Note on a Phycide living as a parasite in a nest of larva? from Mayomba (Congo), 32, 6. — Lathy, P. I. The genus of Dircenna Barrettii Dannatt, i).— Lymaii, H. H. Life-history of Xy/ina Rethunei G. and R., 4. — Merrifield, F., Chap- luaii, T. A. Markings of pupal and imaginal wings, 36, Proceedings. — Moore, F. Lepidoptera Indica. Parts xlvi, xlvii. London: Lovell Reeve & Co., 1900 [Pp. 193 2^8, 209-224 of vol. iv, pis. 357-364, 365-372. Nymphalinse, group Argynnina].— N'oel, P. The preservation of larvae in collections, Le Naturaliste, Paris, Dec. i, 'oo. — Itift'arth, H. The genus Heliconius Latr. newly revised, with description of new forms,* 24, 3-4. — Rothschild, W., and Jordan, K. A monograph of Chara.ves and the allied prionopterous genera, 5 pis., 51. — Schaus, W. New species of Heterocera from tropical America,* 6. — Staiidfuss, M. Synopsis of experiments in hybridization and temperature made with Lepidoptera up to the end of 1898 (cont.), 9. — Stichel, H. Noteworthy varieties and aberrations of butterflies, i pi. ; Variation and gynandromor- phism in Chlorippe vacuna God , 24, 1-2 — Tutt J. W. On the ge- neric name Rlicropterix (Rlicropteryx) Hub., 21. HYMEXOPTttltA. — Ashmead, W. H. Hymenoptera parasi- tica,*Coquillett, I>. W. Diptera,* Wickliam, H. F. Coleoptera- Some Insects of the Hudsonian zone in New Mexico, ii, 5. — Dominique, •«T. Gardener ants, tigs , H/S. — Kincaid, T. Sphegoidea* and Vespoi- xlea,* 14O. — Kriechbnmmer. Insects collected by Her Royal High- ness PrincessThere.se of Bavaria on a journey in South America: Hymen- optera, 24, 1-2; Evident errors in Thomson's explanation of the hind wing of the Cryptidae, Entomologische Nachrichten. xxvi, 23, Berlin, Dec., 'oo.— LudwiK, N. Bee queens and workers, 74, Dec. 23.— Marchal, P. The return to the nest in Pompihis sericeus V. d. L., Comptes Ren-lus Socie"te de Biologic, Paris, Dec. 22, 'oo. — Pergande, T. Formicid;e,* 14O.--Kudovv and Kopp, C. The dwellings of the European Hymen- optera with notice of the important exotic ones, 24, 3-4. — Senrat, L. G. On the respiratory apparatus of the larva of Chrysis shanghaiensis Smith, ^J2, No. 5 ; On the morphology of the respiratory apparatus of the larva of Tryphon vesparum Rat/.eburg, 32, 6. — Weismann, A. On the parthenogenesis of bees, Anatomischer Anzeiger, Jena, Dec. 5, 'oo. IQOlJ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEV.'S. 6l Doings of Societies. The twelfth regular meeting of the Harris Club was held at 36 Court Street, on Friday evening, December 21, 1900, Mr. Newcomb presiding. A most interesting paper on hybrid Lepidoptera, contributed by Miss Emily L. Morton, of New- burg, N. Y., was read by the Secretary. Specimens of hybrids were shown by Messrs. L,ow, Field and Newcomb, and the latter spoke at some length on the subject of hybridity. It was voted to resume discussion of this subject at the next meeting. Some interesting notes sent in by members of the Montreal branch of the Entomological Society of Ontario were then read. The meeting closed with the unanimous election of Miss Morton to honorary membership W. L. W. FIELD, Secrctarv. At the December meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social, held at the residence of Mr H. W. Wenzel, 1523 South i3th Street, fifteen persons were present. Mr. P. Laurent referred to a former communication on damage to cabbages by the supposed larvae of Pieris raptz, but more re- cent observations had shown that possibly the damage was due to larvae of Plus/a brassicff. Mr. vSchwar/ spoke of recent investigations on the Blasto- phoga in connection with the fig industry of California. A considerable crop of Smyrna figs had been produced and the experiments were in every way successful. The Blastophaga cannot develop in flowers of the female fig, but live on those of the male tree. The fertilization of the fig was described : ' ' The insects emerge from the male figs in March, and deposit their eggs in a new generation of male flowers which shortly have an abundance of pollen which covers the insects. At this period the female flowers are ready for reception of pollen which is carried therein by the insects in their efforts at ovipo- sition." Photographs of the operation were shown. Owing to climatic differences at Fresno and Niles, four gen- erations of the insect occurred at the former place and but two at the latter in one season. The insect was introduced from Europe in 1899 by the U. S. Dep. Agric., prior to which time the California tree owners apparently did not know that it was necessary for the fertilization of the figs. 62 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February, Prof. Smith spoke of the great value accruing from the in- troduction of the fig insect into California, and referred to it as an example of the good work being done by economic ento- mologists in this country. Mr. Schwarz stated that the Smyrna figs could not be dried in the Eastern and Southern States, and only portions of Cali- fornia are propitious for its cultivation. The figs must dry on the trees and are harvested when fallen to the ground. He believed the Colorado desert to be an ideal country for the cul- tivation of the tree. Mr. Ashmead stated that the fig insect although known for centuries was not described until 1820. Their position in the Chalcididse had been demonstrated by Westwood. He had now nearly all the described species and many new ones in his collec- tion. The structure of the insects was dwelt on, they are re- markable for having a saw-like appendage to the palpi or mandi- bles except in two genera. The sexes had not been correlated until recenth- owing to differences in structure. Figures of both sexes were shown. The Torymidse were formerly classed with these insects but have since been shown to be distinct, being either true parasites or inquilines. In reply to Dr. Skinner, Mr. Ashmead said there are known about thirteen genera and forty or fifty species of fig insects, but many are yet undescribed. The subject was further discussed by Messrs. Smith, Skinner, Schwarz, Ashmead. Dr. Skinner asked whether this fertilization was a case of design in nature or one of natural selection. Prof. Smith believed it a case of natural selection. He ad- mitted apparent design in nature but believed it due to the adaptation of various forms of life to one another. The advisability of naming forms which intergrade for so- called convenience, was discussed by Messrs. Ashmead, Skin- ner, Johnson and Schwarz. Dr. Skinner referred to a specimen of Coleopterous larva six inches long recently received from Pecos, Texas. Mr. Schwur/ suggested that it belonged to a longicorn, Mallodo>i. Mr. Schwarz exhibited a specimen of the European Platynns albipcs from northeastern Maine, a species new to the I". S. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 63 fauna. He predicted that other interesting forms would be reported from the same region. \VirjjAM J. Fox, A meeting of the Entomological Section of the Academy of Natural vSciences of Philadel])hia was held December 27. [900, Mr. Philip Laurent, Director, presiding. Fifteen persons were present. The following officers were elected to serve for the coming year : Director, Philip Laurent ; Vice-Director, H. \V. Wenzel ; Treasurer, E. T. Cresson ; Recorder, Henry Skinner, M.D. ; Conservator, Henry Skinner, M.D. ; Secretary, C. \Y. Johnson. HKNRV SKIXXKK, A't-/7/\> turnus ab-fletcherii also a beautiful specimen &i Chrysophanus 64 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February, hvpophi'lcas, which has the ordinary coppery hue of the fore wings almost entirely supplanted by a silvery lustre. Prof. Smith described an aberration which he had seen. It was reared amongst a large brood of larvae of Papilio phi/enor, and corresponded closely in markings to Papilio astcrias ab- calrcrlevi. He also suggested that "a very interesting and in- structive experiment might be made by rearing a large number of larvae of \ranessa antiopa, or other common species. He thought that oddities might be produced by placing the pupae in cold storage for different lengths of time, and, by carefully noting the results from each lot differently treated, some very desirable knowledge, and, incidentally, some very odd imagoes would probably reward the experimenter for his work. Also by occasionally shaking up some of the pupae, otherwise nor- mally treated, still other odd features might be produced. Mr. Herpers exhibited a very interesting sphingid, caught by him in Florida, which no one present would venture to iden- tify with certainty. Prof. Smith thought it might be a hybrid Smerinthus geminatus --myops. Messrs. Holterman and An- gelman each brought a small but interesting collection of Noc- tuids. Mr. Bischoff reported the capture of Psclaphus longi- cla-ca and Meloe amcricana, hybernating under stones, at Irving- ton, N. J., December 3oth. Prof. Smith spoke of some hickory twigs sent to him from two localities in New Jersey. They had been girdled by On- fidcrcs cingnlatus. No trace of deposition of eggs, nor evidence of larvae could be observed, but he had seen evidence of the presence of Cicada ij-dcccm on some of them. Further dis- cussed by Messrs. Stortz, Bischoff and Angelman. Mr. Angelman stated that Zeuzera pyrina is not as abundant in Newark as formerly. Prof. Smith reported its appearance in New Brunswick, N. J., this year. Mr. Wm. Holterman w7as proposed by Mr. Angelman and unanimously elected a member of the Society. An invitation was cordially accepted by the Society from Mr. I'.uchholx. to hold a special meeting at his house on Sunday, February 3d. Subjects of special interest to individual members were made the order of the day for the next regular meeting. S. T. KKMI-. Secretary. ENT. NEWS, VOL. XII. PI. III. EXTERNUS PRATERNUS ANTENNA LATERAL & MEDIAN EXTERNUS CRA5SU5 FRATERNUS 17 EXTERNU5 CRASSUS (E GOMPHUS. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS AND PROCEEDINGS OE THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. VOL. XII. MARCH, 1901. No. CONTENTS: Calvert— On Gomphus fraternus, ex- Robertson — Synonymy of Prosopis. ... 77 turnus and crassus (Odonata) 65 Foster — Results of Breeding Moths of Cockerell— A New Andrena from Call- the Genus Haploa Hiibner fornia 74 Editorial 84 Wenzel — The Coleoptera found in a Entomological Literature 85 Barn 75 Notes and News 89 Davis — Cecropia Cocoons 76 Doings of Societies 92 On Gomphus fraternus, externus and crassus (Order Odonata). By PHILIP P. CALVERT. Some time ago, when some western Gomphi were submitted to me for identification, I had considerable difficulty in deter- mining them. Correspondence with Messrs. Williamson, Hine, Adams and \Veith ensued, resulting in generous offers on their part to place their material related to (r. frafcnn/x Say, at my disposition for study. I thankfully accepted, since the chief obstacle, in wr way at least, was lack of material. As the out- come of careful comparative study, I have the following notes to present, which, I am led to think, may be of use to others beside myself. Of the three closely related species, whose names stand at the head of this article, I have examined the following individuals : (i. /nitcni/is Say, 19 £ 17 9 ; Undivided basal part of inf. app. when viewed from below 8. t The two branches of the vul- va r lamina 9. Third femora 10. S ? Dark stripe on the first lateral thoracic su- ture 11. Vertex /•'niternus. slightly more diver- gent than the supe- riors by a distance on each side ap- proximately equal to the width of the branch at its apex. with an almost straight edge be- tween the two bran- ches, this edge twice as long as either branch. contiguous in their basal half, curved away from each other in the apical half so that the lateral margins of the two tips di- verge at 60-90° (fig. 3)- with an external (anterior) yellow stripe on the basal three-fifths, widely interrupted. with a spine behind each lateral ocel- lus. Extemus. much more diver- gent than the supe- riors by a distance on each side ap- proximately equal to three times the width of the branch at its apex (fig. 17). with an almost straight edge be- tween the two bran- ches, this edge four times as long as either branch (fig. I?)- contiguous in their basal two-thirds, lateral margins of the two tips almost parallel (fig. 2). Crassus, very slightly more divergent than the superiors by a dis- tance on each side less than the width of a branch at its apex (fig. 18). forming part of an almost semi circu- lar curve extending from the tip of one branch to the tip of the other (fig. 18). not contiguous, lat- eral margins of the two tips divergent at 60° (fig. i). no external yellow with an external stripe. yellow stripe. not interrupted. interrupted. 12. 1 V Superior surface of the tibia- black. with a yellowish spine (arising from either end of the transverse ridge i behind each lateral ocellus (?'. e., not on the shortest line between the ocel- lus and the eye) (fig. 4). black, with a pale yellow stripe. with a brown spine arising a short dis- tance away from the transverse ridge, so as to lie between each lat- eral ocellus and the eye (/. e., on the shortest line be- tween these two parts), (fig. 5). black. 68 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, Pausing now to discuss these differences, I have not found any variations in the statements for characters numbered 1 to 5 ; this, of course, is merely another way of stating that I have taken the superior appendages as the chief specific characters, a course which I believe is fully justified by the material studied. For No. 6, one male fraternus, Ind., had the divergence greater, although not as great as in e.i'fertms, thus representing a variation of 5 '•• , while two males crassus, Ohio, had the divergence no greater than that of the superiors (10'^ ). No. 7 : the edge but very slightly longer than either branch i ^frater- nus, Ark. (5f/f ). No. 8 : in i 9 fraternus. Ark., not quite contiguous (6'v ); 10 9 9 fra- ternus have the angle of divergence of the tips 90°, 799, mostly Ind., about 60°; for externus i 9, 111.?, is distinctly like fraternus with the angle of divergence 90°, i 9* has the tips slightly divergent at about 60°. No, 9. fraternus: absent i9, Ark., only a trace present i 9. Ohio, extends to basal three-fourths i 9, HI. ; well developed in i 9 e.vtenius* No. 10 : not interrupted in 5 fraternus (3 r71 Ohio, Ind., III., i o7 i Ark.) (13 ''f ), interrupted in i 9 e-\'ft'riins%, barely interrupted i ,^ cmssns, Ohio. No. n. Fraternus: i 9 Ind., i 9 Ark. spines absent, i 2 Ind. spine absent on right side, rudimentary on left (total \~il/2 ' regards a number of other structural and colorational differences This female, which I have included in c.vtcnnis because it agrees in characters Nos. n and 12, occupies quite an intermediate position since it has character 8 like both e.\~fernns and fraternus, 9 as in 'fraternus and 10 as in crassus. It was marked as having been taken in copula with a ? which I unhesitatingly name fraleriins ; the locality is probably Illinois, the date June 29, 1895. I think it quite likely that this female may be a hybrid. I90l] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 69 in which, however, the variability is much greater. These also are arranged, approximately, in the order of from less to greater variability. a small spot in basal sixth i $ i 9 , an ill-defined streak in basal half i ^ 6 9, an ill-defined cloud in middle two-fourths 2 cT, an ill-defined stripe nearly as long as the segment i 9, a distinct band as long as the segment i rp, total 42 '/ ). With a mid-dorsal yellow band as long as the segment and as wide as the spot on 8 in 5 e.vtennts (four-fifths as long as the segment, not reaching the base in i $ i 9. reaching neither base nor apex 2 9, one-half as long as the segment i 9. total 50'^ ). With a mid- dorsal spot as long as the segment in 12 crassus (four-fifths as long 6 $ , . three-fourths as long i J\ two-thirds as long 3 rj — total 44', in which, moreover, the spot does not reach either base or apex). 18. . . Hind margin of the ucciput with three successive convexities in its middle and two lateral thirds, the middle convexity angular but not sharply so, in S fraternus (Fig. 8) (these three convexities similar to each other in 3 9' 1"-. I'ig- 9 ; the median convexity replaced by a more or less pointed tubercle in 5 * Ohio, Ind., Figs. 6, 7 ; no median convexity but a con- cavity instead i $ Ark. — total 53', . Very variable in e.vternus; iQ 111., 70 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, Neb., have it almost straight in either lateral third, convex in the middle third ; in i ? similar, but the middle convexity with a slight but distinct median emargination, Fig. 10 ; forming three slight convexities in its three- thirds respectively i 9 ; slightly convex as a whole but with a distinct me- dian notch i 9 Tex. ; almost straight i ? . In 3 9 crassns, slightly convex in either lateral fourth, concave in the middle two-fourths, Fig. n. 19. 9- JSasal mid-dorsal yellon' spot on eighth abdominal segment. One-third as long as the segment in S 9 fraternus (one-fourth in 3 9 , one-sixth i 9, two-fifths 5 9— total 53 '/,). Two-thirds as long as the segment 2 9 e.vternus, one-half 2 9 IH., Tex., two-fifths 2 9, 111., Neb. Two-fifths as long as the segment 2 9 crassus, one-half i 9 • 20. cf'. Sasa/ mid-dorsal yellou- spot on eighth abdominal segment. One-third as long as the segment in 8 £ fraternus (one-fourth in 8 {, two-fifths in 3 r? — total 57 % ) ; one-half as long in 4 ^ c.vternus ; one- third as long in 15 o7' crassns (two-fifths in 3 -f1, one-half in i '. fraternus Selys, Monog. Gomph., p. 125, pi. 7, f. 4. 1858. G '. f rater mis Walsh, Proc. Ent- Soc. Phila., ii, p. 238. 1863. G. fraternus Kellicott, Dragonf. Ohio, p. 59. 1899. G. fratennts Williamson, 24th Rep. State Geol. Ind. p. 289, 1900, pi. vi, figs. 8, 9. 30. Say, /. c., applied the term " terminal segment " to the ninth abdomi- nal segment, as is evident from his statement that the yellow spot on the terminal segment occupies all the side thereof and is conspicuous. His type had yellow dorsal spots on 7 and 8 but not on 9. He says indeed that the dorsal yellowish line exhibits "a spot only on two of the dilated segments," but when this is so in our Gomphime it is the last of three dilated segments, / <'. the ninth, which is unspotted. Walsh says, /. c., p. 240, that Say described a yellow dorsal vitta on 9 and a small median dorsal yellow spot on 10, but I cannot find anything to this effect in Say's description. The material of fratcnnts which I have studied is as follows : i $ Columbus, Ohio, May 19, 1899; 6 $ 6 9 Sandusky, Ohio, June 25, 1896, and from June 14 to July 12, 1899 ; 4 $ St. Mary's River, Fort \Yayne, Indiana, June 26, 1898 ; 3 species : New Mexico, Texas, Nebraska, Illinois. Gomphus crassus Hagen, G. crassus Hagen, Bull. Acad. Belg. (2), xlvi, p. 453, 1878. G. crassus Williamson, 24th Rep. State Geol. Indiana, p. 288. 1900. G.fratcrnns var. U'a/s/iii Kellicott, Jour. Cincin. Soc. Nat. Hist., xviii, p. 107. 1896. G. c.rternns Kellicott, Dragonflies of Ohio, p. 60, 1899. G. c.vfcnms Williamson, 24th Rep. State Geol. Indiana, p. 289, 1900. PI. vi, figs. 2, 10, 3i.:;' My present material of crass its has been : 12 $ Georgeville, Ohio, June 4, 1899; 6 $ 3 9 Columbus, Ohio, May 20 to June i, 1895-6-7-9; 2 $ Bluff ton, Wabash River, Indiana, June 22, 1898. Hagen's'type came from Kentucky. CONCLUSIONS. From the preceding data it appears, for these three species : 1. That the chief specific character (/. e. the least variable difference between these three species) is to be found in the shape of the superior appendages of the males. . 2. That every female character, and every character common to both sexes, by which these species are distinguished from each other, is more variable than are the superior appendages of the males. 3. Walsh's remark t that the Illinois species of Complins seem to have the appendages of the males " nearly as uniform as a set of castings from the same foundry and the same * G: cornntus Tough, Occas. Mem. Chicago Ent. Soc., i, p. 17, 1900, does not belong to any of these three species, and his suggestion, p. 18, that it may be the rf1 of crassus is not realized. t Proc. Ent. Soc. Phila, ii, p. 239, 1863. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 73 mould," seems to hold true for these three species, but his statement* as to the specific value of minute differences of coloration and its constancy must evidently be modified in view of the variations above detailed. 4. The shape of the hind margin of the occiput of the females, far from being a constant differential, is very variable, although the opposite view has usually been held for (iomp/ius • on the other hand the same margin in the males is nearly alike in all three species. 5. The possibility of the modification of these results by the study of material from other localities must not be forgotten ; such study is very desirable. EXPLANATION OF PLATE III. Fig. i. Vulvar lamina G. crassus 9 Columbus, Ohio, June i, 1896. Fig. 2. Id. G. e.vternits 9 Havana, 111. Fig. 3. Id. G. fratentus $ Kankakee, III., July 6, 1892. Fig. 4. Part of the left half of the vertex, dorsal view, G. e.vternus 9 of fig. 2. Fig. 5. Id. G. crassus 9 of fig. i. Fig. 6. Occiput G.fratcrmts 9 Sandusky, Ohio, July 10, 1899. Fig. 7. " " 9 " " " 9, " Fig. 8. 9 il ID, Fig. 9. 9 Dixon, 111., July 12. Fig. 10. " G. e.i-lernus 9 Havana, 111., July 10, 1897. Fig. ii. " G. crassus 9 of fig. i. Fig. 12. Right superior appendage, viewed obliquely from above and from the outer side, at 45° with the horizontal plane, G. e.r/cnuts cf , Havana, 111., July 9, 1897. Fig. 13. Id. G. crassus (j\ Georgeville, Ohio, June 4, 1899. Fig. 14. Right superior appendage, profile view, outer side, G.e.rfernus $ Of fig. 12. Fig. 15. Id. G. crassus ^ of fig. 13. a, b, in figs. 12-15, tubercles. Fig. 16. Id. G.fraternus $ Sandusky, Ohio, June 15, 1899. Fig. 17. Apex of abdomen, ventral view, G. c.vfermis $ of fig. 12. 5, s\ sternites of eleventh abdominal segment ; sp superior appendages ; / inferior appendage (tergum of eleventh abdominal segment.) Fig. 18 Id. crassHS tf of fig. 13. s, s', /, as in fig. 17. The superior appendages of this male are indicated by the line - - - . The line - shows the superior appendages of another male from the same locality, same date. * L. c., p. 238. 74 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, A New Andrena from California. By T. D. A. COCKERELL. Andrena knutllina n. sp.— ? about 8l/2 mm. long, <$ about 8 mm.; black with pale pubescence ; face black in both sexes. Its place in the genus may be understood by the following table : Abdomen partly or wholly rufous . . erythrogastra, mariae, etc. Abdomen black or dark brown, at most pale-banded . . i. 1. Pubescence black . nigerrima, porterae, nigra. Pubescence at least partly pale 2. Face partly yellow or white, pulchella, aliciarum, cressoni, etc. (males. ) Face wholly black, at least in 9 (pulchella alone has light-face marks in the 9.) . ... 3. Pubescence of thorax bright ferruginous, wings very dark at apex. vulpicolar. Not so ... 4. 4. Hair at apex of 9 abdomen black or nearly so . . 5. Hair at apex of 9 abdomen pale kincaidii, helianthi, etc., etc. 5. Pubescence of thoracic dorsum bright ferruginous, halli, chromotricha Pubescence of thoracic dorsum not ferruginous* . . . 6. 6. Abdomen black without hair bands . . . vicinia, erraiis. Abdomen with interrupted hair-bands Abdomen with continuous bands on all the segments. americana, electrica, apacheorum. 7. Abdomen very distinctly punctate . . . prunifloris. Abdomen tessellate and hardly or not punctare 8. Basal process of labrum in 9 long, rounded, shaped like the end of a ringer ; hair of thoracic dorsum strongly tinged with ferrugi- nous. . . macgillivrayi. Basal process of labrum in 9 broad, truncate-emarginate ; hair of tho- racic dorsum brownish-white ; nervures piceous, stigma pale brown marginal with piceous ; ^ antennas wholly black, knuthiana, n. sp. The hair at the apex of the abdomen in A. knnthiaiui is sooty. a kind of dark purplish-grey. The insect was collected by the late Dr. Paul Knuth at Berkeley, Cal., Oct. 6, 1899; the $ frequented flowers of Dancits carota. The specimens were sent to by Mr. Alfken, to whom I transmitted a description, which will, I suppose, be published in the last volume of " I'.lutenbi- ologie." It seems desirable, however, to indicate the affinities of the species in an American journal. * However, in macgillivrayi, it is really a sort of pale ferruginous ; in fimbriala (aincricaua} it is yellow. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 75 The Coleoptera Found in a Barn. By H. \V. \VKNZKL, Philadelphia. The following list is the result of an experiment made during' the month of May, 1900, with the object of determining the Coleopterous fauna of an old barn. The building from which the material was collected stands in the lower section of our city, is an old wooden structure parti}' wrecked by age and no longer in use for storing products. The usual species infesting stored grain were not found, with the exception of the large Tenebrionid, '/'t'/nbn'o molitor, which was in the pupa state in large numbers on May 2jth, changing into the imago a few days later. All species of Histeridse were taken under pieces of rotten wood covered by deep layers of damp refuse. Probably the habits of these species account for their scarcity in collections. The Latridiidge and Trogositidae were all sieved from dry accumulated old hay and grain dust. The Ptinidae were found in a small annex formerly used for cattle. The ground was a hard dried out conglomeration of manure and dirt, almost like turf ; at first but few specimens were found in it, but finally, by beating or thumping the ground. both species mentioned below appeared in great numbers. Only species of which I have no doubt as inhabiting such places and which were found mostly in numbers are placed in this list. Several species of Carabidce were found, but only in single numbers ; as they are probably accidentals they are omitted. The following is an enumeration of the species found : Microglossa s|>., common in clamp places. Xantholinus gularis Lee., common with above sp. ()/<>/)/inh/cc/uni Er., several examples. This species I have fre- quently found in the immediate vicinity in low meadows. Other minute species of Staphylinicke were taken which I am unable to determine. Ftenidinm evaiiesceiis Marsh, common, sieved from damp refuse. Sericoderus flavidus Lee., common, sieved from dry old hay. Mycetcea liiiia Marsh, very common everywhere. . \glenusbrunneus Gyll., common ; an interesting blind spccio. Silraims aih'cna Wattl., very common. Typhcea fumata Linn., common in damp refuse. 76 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, Triphyllus sp. , several examples. Cryptophagus croceus Zimm. ? common. sp. sp. Dendrop/ii/iix punctulatus Say, common. Paromalus conjunctus Say, common. Paromalus ij-striatus Steph., two examples. Saprinus placidus Er., common. Acritus sp., several examples. Holoparamecus ragusce Reitt., very common. Cartodera ruficollis Marsh, very common. Cartodera costulata Reitt., not common. Corticaria serrata Payk., several examples. Monotoma j-foveolata Aube, common. Monotoma parallela Lee., not common. Monotoma atnericana Aube, not common. Aphodius granarius Linn., not common. Tro.v (Zqualis Say, several examples. Ptinus fur Linn., common. Ptinus brunnefs Duut., common. He.varthrum itlkei Horn, not common. Cecropia Cocoons. By WILLIAM T. DAVIS. Cecropia cocoons of the " inflated" or " baggy" variety men- tioned in ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS for June and December, 1900, are to be found on numerous shrubs, but the most remarkable specimens to be collected on Staten Island occur on the swamp loosestrife or willow-herb (Decodon verticillatus} . This shrub grows in the water and the cocoons have often been gathered in winter by walking on the ice about the edges of the ponds where the loosestrife grows. The cocoons, as a rule, are but slightly above the level of the ice and, of course, run the risk of inundation on occasions of very high water, and are also liable to be eaten by mice and other enemies. Certainly the greater number of these " inflated" cocoons are to be found at the base of bushes, and very often the caterpillars have in- cluded several grass stems or other nearby growth as addi- tional supports to the cocoons. This in itself would account for some of the largest cocoons — the)- are spun loosely between 1901] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 77 several stems or leaves in addition to the main support. This has been the observation of both Mr. Louis H. Joutel and myself. Several years ago I noted in the Journal of the Nc\v York Entomological Society (March, 1897). that caterpillars show considerable intelligence in placing their cocoons, and gave several facts in support of the assertion. Among others it \vas noted that Cccropia cocoons are often placed on the small terminal branches of the white maple and other trees in a position that would seem at first to be subject to disaster from storms. This position was held, however, to be probably the safest on the trees, as the cocoons placed on the large and firm branches were easily opened by woodpeckers, and an instance of such an attack was given. Some of the members of the Society expressed the opinion that the caterpillars did not guard against attacks by mice or woodpeckers, and that the cocoons just happened to be where they were found. This led to an inspection of the white maples near my home, and I found 011 thirty-five trees one hundred and eighteen cocoons, all but five of which were placed on terminal branches, many of the branches not being larger than a lead pencil. While the cocoons thus placed sway violently in a storm, they also give way before the strokes of a woodpecker, and said wood- pecker is unable under the conditions, to make a hole in the cocoon, as I have witnessed. Synonymy of Prosopis. By CHARLES ROBERTSOX. The synonymy of some species given in the ENT. NEWS.. 12, 4-9, 1901, does not represent my views, and certainly is not correct in citing names I have used. 1 will give the synonymy which I think is correct, and under each will give my objec- tions to Mr. L,o veil's citations. Of course, my views are the result of inferences based on the descriptions and not the result of comparisons of the things described. I assume that the authors had ordinary specimens, not exceptional ones, and that their descriptions are correct for the things they had before 78 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, them. If this is not science, it is entomology. If I distin- guish between what I infer and what I know, I know that P. affinis Rob. and the hypothetical /'. zizhe Rob. are the same, and that P. modest us Rob., Tr. Am. Ent. Soc., 22, 116, includes two species. Prosopis affinis Sm. /'. affinis Smith, B. M. Cat. Hym., i, 24, 1853, ?• P. affinis Rob., Can Ent., 28, 136, 1896, $tf. P. ziziff Cockerell, Entomologist, Aug., 1898, J\ With the exception of the last name, which is erroneous, Mr. Lovell's synonym}- is the same as Dalla Torre's. I have not described any species under the name P. :/:vW\ and have never used that name. In a paper in Bot. Gaz., 25, 234, 236, 1898, which Mr. L,ovell lias seen and largely rewritten, I use the name P. affinis Sm. Cockerell uses the name P. zizitc be- cause he is more doubtful about mv determination ; but as long- -" O as I distinguish the species by a character mentioned in Smith's description, I feel bound to use his name. Prosopis modesta Say. Hyhrus modesta Say, Host. Jour., i, 392, 1837 ; Lee. Edit., 2, 771, 9, P. affim's Smith, B. M. Cat. Hym., i, 24, 1853, P. affinis Cresson, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., 12, 270, 1869, 9ia and IJcmilciica, Calliniorpha ( synonymous with Ifap/oa ) is an example of a generic group in which the species or forms are more nearly related than usual and is thus one of those assemblages which I have called /'tvgrucric." The tendency has been for later and fuller knowledge to re- duce the number of forms entitled to specific rank. Thus Lyman in iSSj (Can. Ent., Vol. XIX. pp. 190-191) gives eight species and two varieties. Smith in same year (Can. Ent., Vol. XIX, pp. 2^-239 ) gives nine species and one variety Xeiimoegen and Dyar in X895 (Journal of Xew York Entoni. Society, September. 1^03, pp. i^S-iGi I give eight species and four varieties Dr. Dyar's present classification, as stated in a recent letter Can. Pint., Feb., 1888. Vol. xx, pp. 39-40. 8o ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, to the writer, and by permission referred to, is five species and twelve varieties, viz. : 1. Ilaploa clynicnc Brown. 2. colon a Hubner. a. rcrcrsa Stretch. b. co use/ fa ( = lacfata. c. fiilricosta Clemens. d. triangularis . 3. Iccontci Gtter. a. m Hi tar is Harris. b. confinis Walker. c. harrisii n. var. , Dyar MS. d. dyarii Merrick. e. vcstalis Packard. f. stnitliii n. var., Dyar MS. 4. conjusa Iyyman. a. lywani n. var., Dyar MS. 5. " contigna Walker. a. lunibonio-cra n. var., Fitch MS. The mature larvae of several of the forms are known, and the breeding of images from larvae taken at large after the winter hibernation has been several times reported, but the writer has been unable to learn of any form which has hitherto been bred from the egg and the parents preserved for comparison with their progeny. In the hope of shedding new light upon the specific relation> of some of the forms in this genus, I have attempted to present below the results of my experiments in breeding them, with some observations upon the significance to be attached to those results. I have also taken the opportunity to present some results of a study of the variations presented by a series of one hundred moths, all of which are the images of larvae taken from one restricted locality, near Claremont, X. H., or the de- scendents in the first generation of such larvae. My attention was first directed to this group in the summer of 1898 by my friend Mr. Arthur C. Bradley, of Newport, X H., who wrote me that he had a number of eggs laid by a cap- tured Haploa coiij'nsa and desired to find its food plant ( Cn/o- IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. Si ofjiciualc .1 , with which he was not acquainted. I did not then know the plant, Imt after several unavailing trips in search of it stumbled upon it, growing- in scattered groups over an area a few acres in extent on the bank of the Connecticut River, near Claremont. The locality was too remote and diffi- cult of access to permit of its being used as a base of supply ; so I dug up a number of plants and set them in a box of earth at home. Some of the plants examined on this and subsequent trips to the same spot had small larvae upon them, which after- wards proved to be llaploa. Mr. Bradley fed his larvae chiefly upon mint, but neither his nor mine survived the winter. Late in the autumn of 1898 I found a second colony of (>;/<>- glossnm in a rocky pasture on the crest of a hill several miles from the first and under quite different conditions of soil and altitude. The root leaves of the one-year plants ( the plant is a bien- nial, producing only root leaves the first season) had survived the hard frosts, and many had oval holes in them like those made by IIaf>loa larva?, but no larvse could be found, though search was made in the dead grass and rubbish about the roots of the plants where the larvae might be thought to hibernate. I resolved to visit the spot the following spring, and did >< > in May ( 1899), when I was rewarded by finding numbers of partly grown larvse. These I brought home, and I then had some L'vno^losum growing in my garden from seed, I had no difficulty in rearing them. I thus obtained eighteen imagos, one of which, to my sur- prise, was a £ clymciic. The others, though showing quite a a range of variation, were referable to roufnsa, except one dwarfed specimen marked like Iccoiitci var. niilitaris. I had not observed any differences among the larva-. These imago^. except the $ civilian , were placed on growing Cynoglossum plants, under a netting, and a few days later an abundance of eggs was found. One lot of about forty laid in a close group, evidently by a single female, was removed and the larvae reared indoors. The other eggs, laid mostly on the under surface of the leaves, were left to hatch where they were laid, and the tub in which the plants were growing was kept covered with fine netting. Scores of larva- hatched, but soon all had disap- -,* 3 82 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, peared without my learning the cause, though I attributed it to a pair of daddy-long-legs (Phalangidea) , which were, by accident, imprisoned with the larvae. From the larvae reared indoors I obtained in November and December ten males and four females. No attempt was made to breed from them as it was out of season. The higher and more even temperatures of the house doubtless accounted for their maturing in the autumn instead of hibernating as is their wont. In this series of four- teen moths, presumably from the same parents, the range of variation was distinctly narrower than in the series bred from larvae taken at large. The only wide departure from the usual confuse form was one male, in which the median white spot on primaries was split up into a group of three oval spots. A tendency toward this subdivision of the median spot was shown by two other specimens. This series seemed to support Mr. L/yman's statement* that confnsa varies awaj" from and not toward lecontci ; but desiring to obtain more conclusive results, I visited the rocky pasture again on May 6, 1900, and secured another lot of hibernated larvae. These, when obtained, varied a good deal in size, some being apparently in the fourth and some in the fifth stage (the normal number of stages is six ), but were alike to all appear- ances in other respects. Nearly every Cynoglossum plant, out of more than a hundred examined, showed the characteristic oval holes in the leaves, and about one in four furnished a larva. Occasionally two larvae were found on one plant. The plants were scattered singly and in groups of two or three, rarely growing in a clump. Pretty thorough exploration of the locality showed that the plants were confined to an area of a few acres on the top of this hill. Thirty-nine larvae were brought home and confined in breeding cages. In the last stage three of these larvae had a slightly different appearance from the rest and were placed in a cage apart. The differences noted were a somewhat stouter body and a more hairy look, due not to a greater number or length of hairs, but to their being lighter colored and thereby more conspicuous. The stouter look was, perhaps, due to their being females, as all three produced fully marked clymoic * Can. Ent., October, 1887, p. iS7. IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 83 imagos of that sex. Xot dreaming at the time that any doubt could exist as to specific distinctness of clyiuoic and coufi/sa no effort was made to pair these females with males of the white- winged forms which emerged at abont the same time, and they were at once killed and mounted. ( )f the white-winged moths there emerged in all five male> and twelve females, all with white secondaries, but showing a remarkable range in pattern of primaries, viz. : 3 $ , S 9 . — These showed no very wide departure from the usual conflict form, though several females varied toward typi- cal Iccontci -\- in having the outer end of median white spot only -lightly indented. Lyman (ibid. ) and vSmith ( Can. Ent., Dec., iSSj, p. 2371 in effect found the distinction between confusa and Iccontci on the shape of the median white spot. Typical Iccontci having it entire and convex on the outer margin, and typical confusci having it deeply cleft by a spur from the brown band that arises just within the internal angle of the wing. i 1>, 16, Oct. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 87 ODONATA. — Hine, J. S. A new species of Goinphus and its near relatives* ; A comparative study of Goinphus furcifer and i>i!/osipes, i pi., The Ohio Naturalist, i, 4, Columbus, O., Feb., '01. — Kirby, W. F. The progress of our knowledge of the Odonata (Dragonflies) during a century and a half., 21. HEMIPTEKA.— Ball, E. D. Notes on the Acocephalina (Ho- moptera-Jassida?),* i pi., Proceedings, Iowa Academy of Science, vii, Des Moines, 'oo ; New Jassidae from the Rocky Mountain and Pacific region. 4. — Bergrotl), E. Diagnosis of a new species of the genus Arachno- coris Scott (Nabidje), 8Gb, 15, Oct.— Champion, G. C. Rhynchota Heteroptera, vol. ii, pp. 337-344 [Saldidse*], 15.— Cockerell, T. I). A., and Parrott, P. J. Table to separate the genera and sub-genera of Coccidse related to Lecanium, 4-.— Osborit, H. See Hymenoptera. COLEOPTERA.— Beare, T. H. The literature of British Cole- optera for the past century, 21. — Beloii, P. Diagnosis of a new Longi- corn from Bolivia belonging to the genus Mecometopus Th., 8Gb, 9, May. — Boilean, H. Diagnoses of new Lucanida;, 8Gb, u, June ; Note on some new or little known Lucanidie from South America, 8Gb, 15, Oct. — Dier«'kx, P. On the pygidial glands in the Carabids and Dytis- cids, 8Gb, n, June. — Doiiisthorpe, H. St. «T. K. Evolution of our knowledge of myrmecophilous Coleoptera, 21. — Fauvel, A. On the value of the pygidial glands for the classification of the Carabids according to the memoir of P. Dierckx, 8Gb, 13, July.— Fletiaux, E. Description of a new species of Lissoinus, 8Gb, 10, May; Description of a new species belonging to the genus Teslasena (Elaterida;\ 8Gb, u, June; Descrip- tion of a new genus of Cicindelidae, 8Gb, 13, July.— Francois, P. On the pygidial glands of the Brachynidse, figs., 8Gb, 12, June. — Gouiiolle, E. Note on the genus Migdolus and description of the female of .'/. Frya mis Westw. , 8«b, 12, June.— Leger, L.,aud Hag-eninuller, P. On the structure of the Malpighian tubules in some tenebrionid Coleop- tera, figs., 8Gb, n, |une. — Leslie, P. On the use of the caducous mandibular appendages of the Brachyrrhinidce, 8Gb, 8, April — W»s- inaiin, E. New Doryline guests from the neotropical and the ethiopian taunal regions, 89, Abth. f. System, xiv, 3. Dec. 28. DIPTEitA. — Basili, A. Fecundation, and immunity against Pro- teosoma, in Cule.v pipiens, t)J?. — Cliaguou, G. Preliminary studies on the Syrphidae of the province of Quebec, Naturaliste Canadien, Chicou- timi, Quebec, Jan., '01. — Ho\varyclla Packard, alias Microptery.v pomivorella Pack., 4. — Chapman, T. A. Sidelights on the Lepidopterological work of the nineteenth cen- tury, 21.— Dod, F. H. W. Preliminary list of the Macro-lepidoptera of Alberta, N. W. T., 4.— Dyar, H. G. Notes on the genitalia of Hali- sidota Harrisii Walsh, figs., 4; Life histories of North American Geo- nietridce. xix, o; A century of larval descriptions, 21 ; See Hymenop- tera.— Fischer, T. On the transmission of newly acquired characters and the effects of temperature on the colors of Lepidoptera, 121.— Friiig-s, C. Still more on persecution of butterflies by birds, Societas, Entomologica, Zurich-Hottingen, Jan. i, '01.— Godmaii, F. I). Lepid- optera Rhopalocera, vol. ii, pp. 533-556, pis. xcvii, xcviii [Hesperidse*], 15.— Grote, A. R. The century and the Lepidopterist, 21.— de • loMMiiis, J. Note on some Microlepidoptera of which the larva? feed on the hairs of animals, 86b, 13, July.— Mansion, A. Habits of /.//W/.N, 87, Ian. 12. — Perez, C. On a new Coccidiitm, a coelomic parasite of a Lepidopter, 86b, 14, July ; On the cephalic appendage of certain sphinx chrysalids, 8Gb, 14, July.— Front, L.. B. The Lepidop- terological books of the Nineteenth Century, 21.— Semper, G. Die Nachtfalter, Heterocera, in : Reisen im Archipel der Philippinen von Dr. C. Semper. 2ter Theil. VVissenschaftliche Resultate, vi. 4, Wiesbaden, Kreidel's Verlag, 1900. 5 pis.— Sharpe, E. M. B. A Monograph of the Genus Teracolus, part viii. London, Lovell Reeve & Co. 1900. Pp. 85-100, pis. 28-31.— Thoinanii, H. A case of symbiosis of ants and caterpillars, 121. HVME\OPTERA.— Anglas, J. On the histolysis and histo- genesis of the muscles of the Hymeuoptera during metamorphosis, 86b, 18, Nov.— Bloomfield, E. N. Notes on phytophagous Hymen- optera 1800-1900, 21.— Bouvier, E. L. The variations in dwelling place among the Philanthus, Comptes Rendus, Sociae' de Biologic, Paris, Dec. 29, 'oo.— du Buysson, I?. Nest of Polybia phthisic a Fabr., fig., 861), 7, April.— Cock erell, T. 1>. A. (Hymenoptera Apoidea*), Dyar, H. G. (Lepidoptera Heterocera), Osborn, H. (Rhynchota Heteroptera), Some Insects of the Hudsonian zone in New Mexico, iii, 5.— Marshall, T. A. Braconidse, pp. 33?-3?6 of vol. V bis, yie fasc. Kiefter, J. J. Cynipidae, pp. 513-592, vol. vii, pis. xxi-xxiv, 72 fasc. Species des Hymenopteres d'Europe et d'Algerie fonde par Edmond Andre. Paris, Dubosclard, July i, Oct. i, 'co.— Morice, F. D. Obser- vations on Sphecodes, 8; The century's work among the Aculeate Hy- menoptera and the Chrysidas [two papers], 21.— Morley, C. Evolu- ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. Sg tion of our knowledge of the Ichneumonidse during the nineteenth cen- tury, 21. — Netter, A. Examination of the habits of bees from the double point of view of mathematics and of experimental physiology, o5, Jan. i.— Paulcke, W. On the differentiation of the cell elements in the ovary of the queen bee (Apis wellifica}, 4 pis. 89, Abth. f. Anat., xiv, 2, Dec. 3i.--Terre, L. Contribution to the study of histolysis and of histo-genesis of muscular tissue in the bee, 8O1), 18, Nov. — Tho- ' i HIM, H. See Lepidoptera. — Wasinanii, E. See Coleoptera. Notes and Ne\vs. ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE. MR. JAMES A. G. REHN is studying the Orthoptera collected by Dr. Smith on one his African journeys. THK Entomological Section of the Academy of Natural Scieences of Philadelphia lias received a small but interesting collection of Coleoptera taken by Dr. A. Donaldson Smith in Africa. MR. PHILIP LAURENT has gone on another collecting trip to Florida. It is to be hoped he will seek a place where insects are more abundant, m ^ phonies 9- Sept. 3d, ^Ellopos tantulas <$. Sept. nth, Erebus Odora Sept. igth, Erebus odora 9- Nov. iyth (a cold day), Protoparce cin^n- lata 9 (sitting on the stem of a tree). As much as I know, tantalus, cin- gulata and aja.v were never captured here before. They are all, with ex- ception of Erebus odora 9, in good condition. — PROF. HENRY WORMS- BACHER, Jersey City, N. J. ASAPHES A SYNONYM. — In looking over W. H. Ashmead's " Classifica- tion of the Ichneumon Flies" I came across the name Asaphesior a genus of Pteromalidce, erected by Walker in 1834. Kirby first applied the name Asaphes to a genus of Elalerida: in 1837, and it should therefore be re- moved from the catalogues of Coleoptera. Possibly Hcinicrepidius of Germar should be used in its stead, but I will leave this question to some Coleopterist who has access to the requisite literature — FREDERICK KNAB. WHILE visiting a friend of mine at his work in a coal mine I was sur- prised to see several moths sitting on the roof or ceiling of the mine, but having no means to secure them I left them till later. On Jan. 19 I took a lantern and cyanide jar and made a thorough examination of the mine, and in a short time secured 25 fine, perfect specimens of Sco/iop/t'ry.i libatri.v. Some were found as far in as 75 yards from the entrance of the mine. Some were very wet, but there was not a torn or rubbed specimen among them. — FRED. MARLOFF, Oak Station, Pa. " Beware the bad mosquito, It is a dangerous thing ; It carries 'round malaria. And it has a spotted wing. "The Culc.v wears his whiskers long, . Inaphelcs wears his short ; But are their voices just the same, When on bare legs they sport?" 92 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, Doings of Societies. At the Januar}- meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social, held at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1523 S. Thirteenth Street, twelve members were present. This being the annual meeting the President read his addivs>, reviewing the progress of the Society, and speaking of the ad- vances made in the methods of collecting insects. Prof. J. B. Smith referred to a former communication on a trip to L,ahaway, N. J., and stated that he had found there five species of Scolytidae in decaying pine trees, including a new species of Dendroctonus. Trees attacked by this insect may be recognized by large adherent clumps of pitch, in the center of which the insects live. All stages of the insect had been found. Specimens of pine park illustrating the burrowing of the Dendroctonus were shown. 'fomicits caligraphits makes galleries extending in all directions, and are the largest made by any species of Tom/cut. Tomicus cacographus lives much higher in the trees than the two preceding species which dwell in the thicker bark. Crypturgus alntaccus makes small galleries, ir- regular in form and close together. A species of Scolytits occurred in the trees, but no specimens were found. It makes very short burrows. Gnathotrichus watcriarius differs in habits from the others mentioned by penetrating into the solid wood, the galleries being quite long, and makes small larval burrows. Other insects, such as feed on Scolytidse or had entered the burrows for other purposes, had been found. A piece of wood containing a Monohammus larva was shown and its mode of entry and exit described. Some twigs of hickory girdled by Oncidcres were exhibited. In 30 or 40 twigs not a single larva had been found, which raised the question whether the girdling was always done for oviposition. Mr. Daecke said he had frequently observed / 'cspa crabro gnawing at twigs, and suggested this wasp may be responsible for some of the girdling. Mr. Johnson stated that he had found several species of Scolytidse on the spruce at North Mountain, Pennsylvania. Dendroctonus rufipennis had made burrows, but no live speci- mens had been found and its work was confined to the base IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 93 of the tree. Crypt it r^it* atfaii/iis burrows were plentiful throughout the branches. Mr. H. Wenzel mentioned that at Dacosta, X. J., he had observed that pine stumps were completely riddled by the burrows of a species of DaidrocioiiHs. He also exhibited a specimen of the European ncmcfriits atricapilus taken near Camden, X. J., March 5, 1899. Also a specimen of the rare .\n>it/ii>/iii/<* ^iilan's which he had taken rather abundantly in the Philadelphia " Xeck." Dr. Skinner referred to the large larva mentioned at the last meeting, and stated that he believed it to be Stenodontcs man- dibit la rix and not a Mallodon. The larva had been found around the roots of the mesquite. Mr. H. Wenzel exhibited specimens of Stenodontes mandibu- laris. Dr. vSkinner referred to the theory of the transmission of dis- ease by insects, and spoke of recent experiments which tended to prove that mosquitos are responsible for the transmission of yellow fever. As early as 1804 a doctor in Mobile had asserted his belief that the mosquito was a carrying agent of the disea>e, and in 1882 a certain author had held this insect responsible for transmitting malaria. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : President, Charles \V. Johnson ; Vice- President, Charles R. Boerner ; Secretary, William R. Reinick ; Treasurer, Henry W. Wenzel. WILLIAM J. Fox, Secretary. The regular stated meeting of the Feldmaii Collecting Social was held Wednesday evening, February 2oth, as the guest > of Dr. Henry Skinner, at his residence, 716 Xorth Twentieth Street, Philadelphia. Eleven members present. President Charles W. Johnson in the chair. Professor J. B. Smith read a communication from our fellow- memlK-r, Mr. Philip Laurent, who is on a collecting trip in Florida, stating that the collecting was poor. Professor Smith also stated that he wanted to find what the larva of the mosquito does in winter, and for that purpose- lie obtained a number of pitcher plants and found quite a number of larvae frozen in the 94 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, ice ; digging a number out he placed them in a tumbler of , water ; as soon as the water became somewhat warmer the larvae began to move. Mr. L,. O. Howard in his paper upon mosquitoes stated that they hibernated as adults, but Professor Smith's observations seem to show that they pass the winter in the larval state and are not effected by ice. Mr. Howard also stated that larvae do not stay under water longer than about one minute, and that their gravity is so great that they would sink without wriggling ; but these remained under water much longer ; in one case ten minutes, and they are able to keep at the surface of the water without wriggling, the motion of the ciliae also seems to help them in moving. Dr. Skinner mentioned that the temperature or chemical condition of the water might have something to do with these facts, and suggested that it might be advisable to make re- peated observations. Professor Smith also spoke about swarms of mosquitoes in Alaska, and said that when the snow recedes they greatly increase in number, and suggested that they most likely wintered in the larval state in ice, which does not get below 32 degrees. Dr. Skinner also spoke upon observations made during the Second Ross Expidition upon the larva Lepicloptera, which were frozen and thawed a number of times before dying. This was further discussed by Messrs. Johnson, \Yenzel and Daecke. Mr. \Yenzel said that Harpalus ca/i^ii/osns had only been found around the habitat of man. He also mentioned that in one species of Psclaphid, which he had seen in a number of collections, all were males. Mr. Fox suggested that the females may have been described under different names. Dis- cussed by Messrs. Johnson, Smith and Fox. Mr. Daecke exhibited a was]) nest from Bloomfield, N. J., from which he obtained three specimens of Odyncnts bircui- 1/iacn/atiis. He also exhibited galls of ^-Indn'cits <'oni/^< >~a from which specimens of Scsin scitnla had emerged. Dr. .Skinner exhibited all the species of the nokomis and nito- / r/'s groups of the genus . -//;ic>/sis. Dr. Calvert said Dr. Castle had mentioned having seen certain worms that had been passed from the bowels of a young girl, one of his patients. Dr. Calvert had brought a number of specimens of intestinal worms from the Leidy collection of the Fniversity of Pennsylvania, which he exhibited. Dr. Castle stated that none of the specimens shown corresponded with tho^e passed by his patient. The effects of poisons on insects were discussed by the members. The slight effect of " cyanide ' on some insects was pointed out. Mr. Laurent spoke of the introduction of the two large mantids 7'< Hi'd/m S/n< nsis and 96 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Maicli, Mantis religiosa into Pennsylvania and New York respectively. He had found egg-masses of sincnsis in great abundance at Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, this fall. Photographs and specimens of the egg-masses were shown. Mr. Johnson said he was sorry to suy a manuscript name in the New Jersey list of insects had caused some trouble. He had placed the manuscript name Pipunculus hoitghi in the list ; but recently Dr. Kertzs had applied the same name to the P. lateralis Walker, not of Macquart , another name will therefore have to be given to the New Jersey species. HENRY SKINNER, Recorder. The special meeting of the Newark Entomological Society, held at the residence of President Buchholz, February ^rcl, was a very successful and enjoyable affair. Mr. Buchholz displayed his collection of L/epidoptera, which includes North American species throughout the order. The host provided a substantial supper, at which those present discussed topics of entomologi- cal and general interest for several hours before adjourning. vS. T. KKMP, Secretary. A regular meeting of the Newark Entomological Society wa.s held at Turn Hall Sunday, February loth, President Buchholz presiding. Thirteen members were present. Visitors, Messrs. C. Rummel and J. Hermann. Mr. Bischoff displayed his ex- tensive collection of Cicindelidae, also some Carabidse, mostly of the genus Cychrus. Mr. Kircher exhibited, preserved in alcohol, some coleopterous larvae and imagoes, taken out of cigars in which they were breeding. They appeared to be Lasiodenna serricornc. The same gentleman also showed some odd forms of several species of L,epidoptera, the most striking of which was an aberration of Argynnis cybcle, caught some years ago in the vicinity of New York/ It has a black suffu- sion covering a large portion of both fore and hind wings. Messrs. Holterman and Broadwell each exhibited an interest- ing collection of Lepidoptera. A proposition to move the head- quarters of the Society was rejected by a large- majority. Mr. Charles Rummel, of Elizabeth, N. J., was unanimously elected a member of the Society. S. T. KIOIP, Secretar. KNT. NEWS, Yol XII PHILAMPELUS ELISA (SMYTH) ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. VOL. XII. APRIL, 1901. No. 4. CONTENTS: Foster— Results of Breeding Moths of the Genus Haploa Hiibner (Con- cluded i 97 Smyth — Philampelus elisa (n. sp.) 106 Fox — Letters from Thomas Say to John F. Melsheimer, 1816-1825.— I, II.... no Sriyder— Over the Range in a Wagon (to be continued) 113 Editorial 119 Notes and News 119 Entomological Literature 120 Doings ofSocieties 125 Some Results of Breeding Moths of the Genus Haploa Hiibner. By FRANK H. FOSTER, Claremont, N. H. (Continued from March number.) As the moths emerged I isolated five pairs without attempt- ing any selection, in as many different cages, and obtained fertile eggs from two of the females. These two pairs of parents, after the eggs were laid, were killed, mounted and labeled so as to be identified with their progeny. The parents will be referred to as pair No. i and pair No. 2. They are represented on the accompanying plati by Figures i and 2 and Figures u and 12 respectively. The female of pair No. i laid 225 eggs. The female of No. 2 laid 275 eggs. The two lots of eggs and the larvae obtained from them were kept confined throughout in separate breeding cages and great care taken to avoid any chance commingling. In view of the remarkable results obtained from one of these pairings and doubts that might arise as to possibility of errors I will state that the progeny of these two pairs were the only Haploa Ian -a I had at any time during their development. (For detailed 4 98 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS [April, description of egg, larval stages, etc., see appendix to this article). The larvae developed very unevenly in both broods after the second month. In October many had pupated, while others were not half grown, and such as had not then reached the final larval strge were placed in a bed of Cynoglossum in my garden in the hope that they would hibernate there and be found in the spring. A classification of the images of both broods follows. PROGENY OF PAIR No. i. 17 £—259. DIVISION A. 6 $ 99 . — These fifteen examples, a little more than one- third the whole number bred, had deep yellow secondaries, yellow abdomens and yellow suffusion of under surface of all the wings. The proportion of yellow males to whole number of males is about the same as the proportion of yellow females to whole number of females. These yellowr-winged progeny divide into two distinct groups by the difference in the brown markings of primaries. Group i — 3 $ , 5 9 . — One male and one female of this group are represented by Figs. 7 and 8 of plate. These vary but lit- tle among themselves. The tendency toward definition of apical and pre-apical spots is, as shown by the figures, slightly more apparent in the females. Group 2 — 3 $ , 49. — These are all alike, and one pair is shown by Figs. 9 and 10 of plate. They are like all the dyiuenc I have seen, though I have some specimens of clymene of unknown parentage in which the secondaries are a little deeper yellow. DIVISION B. ii $ 1 6 9 . — All the moths in this division resemble parents in having white secondaries with a suspicion of yellow tinge. All have white abdomens and under side of all the wings white, or as nearly so as in ordinary examples of confusa and Iccontci. These twenty-seven moths show so many variations in pat- tern of primaries that subdivision is not as easy as in the case of the yellow- winged group, but, utilizing the character most widely varying, they may be divided into two groups, viz.: ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 99 -»r Group i — 9 $ , 49. — These have the oblique brown band extending from above and within inner angle of primaries toward apex, unbroken or nearly so, and thus more nearly resemble the /iin.\ v presents a very different pattern in the fore wings, has the hind wings yellow-ochre, with a black median band, and the thorax is entirely green, with a brown-red abdomen. /'. pistacina Bdl. is now considered an anibnly.\ and need not be referred to further ; it is very differently marked and colored from \\\e pandorus group of Philampelus. Eacus of Cramer is buffish brown, slightly inclined to olive in fresh examples ; lacks the green semicircle, has but one basal abdominal spot on the brown abdomen and has the discal spot, and usually two, present. Comparison has already been made with pandorus in the de- scription of clisa. This leaves only two species, both of Schausfuss. One of these, P. vini, is mentioned in Kirby's list. I have never heard or seen of it elsewhere. Mr. Butler, who constantly refers to Schaufuss, makes no mention of it. Kirby gives it from the " Nunquam Otiosus," p. 19, but no mention is made of such a species on that page or any other in the copy of ' ' Nunquam Otiosus" referred to for me. I know nothing more of it. P. cissi- of Schaufuss is described on p. 19 of the ' Nunquam Otiosus." Of this description Butler says "Probably the $ of salfllitia, but so imperfectly described that it is impossible to identify it with certainty." I can only add that the descrip- tion would apply equally well to almost any one of the pandorits and satcllitia group, and should be void through its vagueness. One sentence seems to offer a tangible difference to clisa, \. e., " Capite et thorace utrisque ncc non corporc in medio griseo- lineatis" (italics are mine). This certainly differs from clisa as the figure and my description shows. I feel confident therefore in the validity of riiilaiupclits clisa as a species, and surely all of Mexico is not known yet. I 10 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, Letters from Thomas Say to John F. Melsheimer, 1816-1825.— I II.1 Philad* April i2lh 1816 Dear Sir I had the pleasure on my arrival here to receive the box of Insects you sent me in the most perfect order, not an individual of the brilliant assemblage was defaced, nor an antenna or other extremity in any respect mutilated, this was the obvious result of the very careful manner in which they were put np «X: the attention payed to them on the passage by your friend. I am sorry I was not here at that time to receive him — But with respect to these Insects there has been a mistake between us, they are exactly the same species' that your Father sent to me long since both sexes of which I now have in my cabinet (with the exception of a few) in perfect preservation & having the numbers of your catalogue - annexed to them — I remember 1 In presenting the first of these letters to the readers of ENTOMOLOGI- CAL NEWS, the transcriber feels that they will be a source of interest to all concerned with Entomology, especially American students, by whom Thomas Say is held as the father of that study in .this country. A rather full account of his life will be found in Volume VI of this journal. Rev. John F. Melsheimer was the son of the Rev. Fred. Val Melsheimer, and there is no record of his having contributed to the literature of insects. The author of the Catalogue of the Coleoptera of the United States, 1853, Friedrich Ernst Melsheimer, M.D., was another member of this truly entomological family, and, I think, represented the third generation in this country, the elder having come to America from Ehrenberg am Neckar, Germany, prior, probably, to the year 1800. They all resided at Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania. The present transcripts and those that may follow are exact copies of the originals as far as punctuation, spelling, capitalization and abbrevia- tion are concerned ; so it may be understood that apparent errors are not due to faulty proof-reading, as the proofs have all been compared with the original manuscripts, which are contained in the library of The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. — WILLIAM J. Fox. 2 Refers to A \ catalogue \ of\ insects \ of\ Pennsylvania. \ By Fred. Val. Melsheimer, | Minister of the Gospel. | Part first. | Hanover, York County: | Printed for the author, by W. D. Lepper. | 1806. As the in- sects spoken of in the present letters are referred to by number corres- ponding to those in the work just quoted, their identity is an easy matter to those having access to the book, which, however, is exceedingly rare. IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. I IT handing you two lists of numbers of Insects referring to your catalogue, one of which I observed to you your Father had sent me & those referred to by the other I requested you to send, it was here the mistake undoubtedly occurred — I have selected of those you sent 12 or 20 to replace such as were injured in my cabinet & the remainder together with some India Insects, I have put up to send to you but I do not know any person in Baltimore to whom I could consign them— I will make a few remarks on some of the species you sent me— i — Your N? 51 is the same with 45 (Ammon) that your father sent me it does not agree with the description of that Insect, "Thorax 3- toothed &c ' —with the description of Janus I am unacquainted it may probably be that insect — the thorax is certainly unarmed though it is cut down before abruptly 6c irregularly- 2 — Anobium Pertinax differs I find sometimes very much in its depth of colouring, though always brown, yet it is some- times of a much lighter tint with the eye perfectly black — this may be a sexual difference, my lighter one is I believe a male. 3 — The Insect your Father sent me as 294 (is perhaps the 296) it is larger than the Opatrum Clathratum — Black with four rufous macula on the elytra — Your 294 is I have no doubt the right one as it is a scarce insect & that the number is marked as such in the catalogue. 4 — 694 & 695 are very similar I can discover very little dif- ference in the markings 5 — Your 857 is black with a rufous thorax & 3 raised lines on each elytron Your 856 is the same with your fathers 857 • — Over the Range in a Wagon. By PROF, and MRS. A. J. SNYDER. On July gth, having left Belvidere. 111., in its morning freshness, we caught the Colorado Special at DeKalb with a fixed and deliberate purpose of reaching Denver, Colorado. During the westward journey we watched as closely as pos- sible the change in bird and insect life, trying to gain, eve'n from the rapidly moving train and in the brief stops at sta- tions, some better idea of those sections in which eastern and western species overlap. Nebraska is said to be the great territory for birds from both sections, but in insect life there j-eems to be more variety, some western species reaching eastern points, perhaps even beyond Illinois, while a few eastern spe- cies have crossed the continent westward bound. In brk-f observations, Chrysophonus \aitthoidcs, or the variety dionc has been noted, while all other species seen from the train seem ot 114 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, be eastern. This season, at Jtilesburg [just over the line], we found C/conic abundant and on its blossoms numerous butter- flies. Pieris protodicc, l:.nptoieta chiudia and a Hcliothis, prob- ably dipsaccns, were abundant, as well as many smaller moths which the brief stay at the station did not permit us to capture. At 4 o'clock P.M. of the loth, we were in Denver on our way to the hotel. Collecting in or near large cities has always proved unprofitable unless enough time could be taken to get outside the limits and to find the good collecting grounds ; so our main object here was to outfit for the trip to the mountains. The "we" of this trip consisted of W. E. Snyder, of Beaver Dam, Wis. , our two little girls and ourselves. Having brought letters to two business men residing near Denver who were supposed to be able to aid us in outfitting, our first object was to find one of these parties and secure his suggestions. On the morning of the i ith of July, we met Mr. Charles Combs and with him visited the various stockyards and sales stables in search of an outfit. At Union Stockyards we finally found a team which seemed to answer our purpose. There was nothing handsome about the animals but they were used to the climate and the mountain roads ; and. while too old to demand a fancy price, and too ungainly to please the fastidious, were well suited for our purpose. This team we purchased, with an old harness thrown in, for $40. We next obtained a light lumber wagon, second hand, at the same price. This we had altered by extending the sides about eight inches at the top and putting on hoops, over which a canvas cover could be placed. All of these purchases and changes took time, yet it made it possible for us to purchase provisions for the trip, secure a wire mattress [just wide enough to fit on top of the extended box of the wagon and form a comfortable bed] , and also do a little sight seeing in Denver. Toward evening of the i2th of July, we might have been seen driving a gray and bay plug team along the shad}' side of the business streets of Denver, and a little latter we were at the side entrance of the hotel, hastily piling trunks, collecting material and ammunition into the wagon, then seeking a more retired street and hastening out of the city. We drove some 1901] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. II,S six miles that evening to a friend's residence in the suburbs. Three of the party that night slept in a bed for the last time in seven weeks, while the other two made tent and rolled up in blankets for the first night in cam]). Oh, those Western mos- quitos, and the first night out ! Whether they belonged to the genus .•Inop/ic/cs or were the more common representatives of the geus Cn/c.v did not worry us, but their bites did, perhaps, more so than at any other time during our journey. In the higher altitudes they never bothered us long after dark as it then became too cold. The next morning we rearranged our baggage, prepared to leave all our friends behind and strike into the unknown. We were in plain sight of the mountains and on leaving were directed to pass to the right or left of certain peaks, to go to a certain ranch and take the left hand road or go to the second forks of the road, then turn to the left, etc. Our map of Colo- rado was at a discount from that day on, for no one would advise us to go according to its directions. We had thought of visiting Estes Park, but after a consultation with people who had been over the ground, decided that Routt County was the only place in Colorado and joined the hegira in that direction ; for Routt County is the great grass region of Colo- rado, and we concluded that game and butterflies should seek similar localities, especially as one must cross the range to Routt County, and the summit suggested Chionobas. With light outfit and good teams, hunters drive into Routt County in three days ; but our horses were not Arabs, our outfit was not light and one horse proved a Turk. Just before starting we spent a few minutes pursuing the butterflies which were abundant in our friend's dooryard. Here were taken /, vi'irna aauon , Phyciodcs ismcria , Colius cio'vtlicnic , Pvrgiis tcsscl- lafa and another species of Pyrgns, P/io/isora cattd/ns, />. arch- ifif>ns, I '. antiopa, a few wary Odonata and a few hornets. We may as well remark here that, although we frequently had our friends Tough and Prof. Needham in mind, we were unable to capture a single dragonfly during the trip. To be sure, we saw some, but they were wilder and harder to find than any other game we sought except the sage hen. Il6 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, It was mentioned that we took considerable time rearranging our outfit, and consequently had a late start, but were finally under way followed by the good wishes of our friends, who assured us that there would be many pleasant features of the journey, and that we would especially enjoy .the memory when it was all over. This last expression frequently came back to us when we encoutered hardships and disappointments on the way. Before starting we made a new brake for the wagon, knowing that sometimes in the mountains everything depends upon the strength of the brake. Toward noon we were in the foothills, and about 4 P.M. entered Mt. Vernon Canon, up which we drove several miles until we found a suitable place for a camp. Here we ended our first day's journey, picketed Bay and Gray, as we had named our animals, and wrere soon enjoying our first real meal in camp — -peas, bacon, coffee, bread, butter and cakes. That evening our appetites arrived to con- tinue with us to the end of the trip. This entry was made in one of the note books : " The new stove is a jewel." It was a mere box of sheet iron with a tiny oven, two holes to cook upon and a tiny fire-box ; but the tales it could tell of excellent biscuit, fried trout, roast venison, baked potatoes, and grouse- pie, are enough to make an epicure long for a taste. During this day we had seen a few Argynnis and many E. claudia. Will, or the taxidermist, as we may as well style him from now on, was constantly seeking new birds and singing out their Latin names, Mrs. S. was always on the lookout for new flowers, many of which were beautiful beyond description ; the children were interested in all outdoors, and the fourth member of the party was ' ' bugologist, ' ' nimrod, camp tender or idler as the occasion demanded. But we were all out to study nature, and our main regret was that our friends could not enjoy it with us. As we sat about the campfire that night we recalled what wi- ll ad seen during the day, the Antolmis grotei and . //;<,' . cipris that we had seen on some large compositae ; the four line chipmunk which we supposed was Tamias quadvitatus , but which the taxi- dermist recently wrote me, " is probably a new species ;" the hummingbird upon her nest in a brier patch that \ve watt-lied for a time and attempted to photograph. That first night in IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. I 17 the wilds ! It was some time before we sank into slumber- broken occasionally by the strange wood noises. About ^ A.M. \\x- awoke shivering. A fire was quickly kindled and it was kept roaring until daylight. \Ye were read}- and willing to make an early start, but found that we were unfamiliar with our team, for at the first hill Gray stopped as though never to go again. \Ve argued the case but to no advantage ; we un- loaded ; we unhitched and drove a team without a wagon, then rehitched, but still there was no .<;•<> ,• we applied a tough persuader. Finally, while we were lamenting the situation and debating the advisability of a slow fire under the sphinx- like creature, a team came from the opposite direction and the driver wished to pass but the road was too narrow. He finally came to our assistance with a long lithe whip and Gray soon moved on once more. We learned that Gray needed, in fact, must have, a down hill pull the first thing in the morning if we wished to avoid trouble. Give him an easy start and he- was good for all day, but up a steep incline, just after break- fast, there he put his foot down. The next event of import- ance w'as the descent of Floyd's Hill, a feat for which none of our friends or enemies had prepared us ; our friends because they did not wish to discourage us ; our enemies, because they hoped we would never come back. Imagine, if you can, a rocky hill over a mile in length, every step of which seems the jumping off place, yet as one makes the various turns in the road and looks ahead, the descent is found always to be a little less than 90°. One at the reins and one at the brakes, we finally made it, then took a long breath, remembered that home and friends lay beyond that hill and wondered if there was a way around it. The natives assured us there was not. Like the elassir writer who crossed the Rubicon, we passed on but wondered what the mountain* were, if this was Floyd's /////. We were too busy that day managing brake and reins to do any collecting. If there- were insects we failed to see them. This was Saturday and late that evening we went into cam]) on the banks of Clear Creek, just beyond Idaho Springs. Here we- -.pent Sunday resting and writing to friends. Here we enjoyed our first rainstorm in camp, heard the thunder roll about the rocky peaks IlS ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, and at night slept the sleep of the tired. Thus we were ready for an early start Monday morning. Our way to Middle Park was through Lawson and Empire City, then on and up over Berthoud's Pass. Distances are ever deceptive in the moun- tains. One rancher said it was seven miles up and three down. We didn't know how far it was to the summit, but toward eve- ning, after winding slowly along an uphill road since about 9 A.M. , we came to a little log cabin and decided to camp and let our horses have the enjoyment of a roof over their heads. On the way up some insects were seen, Phyciodes, Chionobas, Mc- laporphyra, Chrys. helloides, etc. Mosquitos were thick until about 6.30, then the air became too cold. We decided to spend a day or two in this locality and collect on the summit, which we learned was one and one-half miles away. The fol- lowing morning the taxidermist sallied forth early, armed for conquest, but returned before 9 o'clock with some birds and pine squirrels. Then the " bugologist" started up the trail. Soon Argy>inis hclcna were found in abundance and a short distance farther up it was a pleasure to note the erratic flight of a Chionobas. Then the pursuit of these wiley mountaineers began and a dozen or more were captured. The identity of these is not yet settled, but they seem to be ii/ilcri. On the summit it was cold and windy, too much so for insects except a few Mdita\i, so the homeward journey soon began. A few A. cnrvnoinc several Anthocliaris ansonidcs, P/cn's rcnosa and some Pamphila were taken, — seventy specimens in all by i o'clock,— including a species of C 'hiouobas new to the collector. The mos- quitos then had their inning until dark, and the next morning we broke camp and begun the ascent. As the first thing was a pull up hill, Gray was obstinate, and in the midst of the argument the brake broke and came near allowing the wagon to go over the mountain side. We hastily repaired the damage and by 7.30 A.M. were on the summit, over 11,000 feet above sea level and with snow banks near at hand. (To be Continued.) MR. H. VV. WEN/EL has taken in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, up- wards of 40 species of Scydmaenidie. Before he became interested in this work there were only about ten species known from this vicinity. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NKWS solicit and will thankfully receive items of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will he given in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.] To Contributors. — All contributions will be considered and passed upon at our earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep- tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer- ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num- ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five "extras," without change in form, will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along* with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged. — ED. PHILADELPHIA, PA., APRIL, 1901. Improvements in photographic illustrating in entomology are still being made and will doubtless go on until the method becomes perfect. As we have already said, the one great feature attained is mechanically correct maculation and con- tour. The color-screen and isochromatic plates give fairly correct color values, even for reds and yellows. By exposing a number of plates a perfect negative may be obtained. If the specimens are pinned on little corks, gummed on glass, shadows may be eliminated. \\'e often have photographs sent us with large unsightly labels showing. Such labels should always be removed before the photograph is made. The great objection to the three color process at present is the expense, but doubtless the cost will be reducted by competition just as it was in the case of the ordinary half-tone. The NEWS desires to continue to maintain a high standard in this kind of work, as it believes in the great future and value to entomology along this line. i^ A \_ c*. », .iiii,Lii-V~ ll l » v i \tiiii\^ t\ J v~iiivsjii.\si.\'^ > Notes and News ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE. NICHOLAS KUSNEZOW in speaking of Lihythea 7. En- tomologiske Tidskrift, Stockholm, xxi, Haft i, March 9, 'oo, Haft 2, Aug. 18. 'oo, Haft 3-4, Jan. 31, '01. All rec'd. Feb. 23, 'or.— G9. Bolletino, Societa Entomologica Italiana, xxxii, Florence. Tr. i, May 20, 'oo : Tr. 2, July 3r, 'oo ; Tr. 3, Oct. 31, 'oo. All rec'd. March, 'or. — 81. Biologisches Centralblatt, Erlangen, Feb. i, '01.— 84. Insekten Burse, Leipsic, 'm.— lli). Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte, Ixvii, i, i. Berlin, Dec., 'oo. Rec'd. Mar. 13, '01. — 13<>. Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung, Ixi, 7-12, 'oo.— 14(>. The Entomological Student, Philadelphia, i, 5, Oct., 'oo ; ii, i Feb. 15 ; 2, Mar. 15, 'or. — 147. Proceedings, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 49th meeting at New York, June, 'oo. Easton, Pa., Dec., 'oo. THE GENERAL SUBJECT.— Allen, H. A. On an insect from the coal measures of South Wales \_Fouquea canibrensisn. sp.], fig., Geological Magazine, London, Feb., 'or. — Aiiou. Baron M. E. de Selys-Longchamps (portrait), 21. — Brauer, F. Joseph Mik (portrait), 38. — Chapman, T. A. Acanthopsyche opacella : instinct altered when parasitised, 8. — Fabre, J. H. Souvenirs Entomologiques Sixieme Se"rie Etudes sur 1'instinct et les mceurs des Insects. Paris. Delagrave Not dated. Figs. Portrait of author Rec'd. Jan., 1901. — Haacke, W., and Kulmert, W. Das Thierleben der Erde. Berlin, Martin Oldenbourg. To be issued in 40 Lieferungen at i mark each, forming when completed three volumes, with 620 text figs., and 120 "chromoty- pographic " plates. Lieferungen 2-17 rec'd. The animals are grouped according to habitat as forest, plain, human habitations, water and its sur- roundings, and subsequently geographically. — Hes.se, K. On the so- called simple eyes of insects, 22, Jan. 21. — Hon.ssay, F. La Forme et la Vie. Essai de la Methode Mecanique en Zoologie. Paris. C. Rein- wald, Schleicher Freres. 1900. Svo. 924 pp., 782 text figs — Kellogg1, V. L. Insects and spiders of the Galapagos Islands, 5. — McLachlaii, R. Baron M. E. de Selys-Longchamps, 8. — Oliaus, F. On an ento- mological journey to Central Brazil (cont), 13<>. — Poiiltoii, E. B. The influence of Darwin upon entomology, 21. — Radl. E. On photo- tropism of some Arthropods, 81.— Schmeil, O. Text- Book of Zoology treated from a biological standpoint. Translated from the German by Rudolph Rosenstock. Edited by J. T. Cunningham. Part iii Inverte- brates. London : Adam & Charles Black, 1900. Svo. Air-breathing Arthropods, pp. 307-412, figs. — Tower, W. L. Some of the internal changes which accompany ecdysis in insects, 147. — Verrall, G. H. Names of legs of insects, 8. ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.— Cliapais, ,J. ('. The pea aphis, 37. — Del Guercio, G. Observations on a new Coccid injuri- ous to dims sineiisis in Italy and on the mode of immiini/ing the woody part of plants against the punctures of Coccids in general, and of destroy ing the latter, figs., i pi., , 2. — Donitz, \V. On gnats, S4, Jan. 31. — Fletcher, »I. Practical Entomology (The spread of lyphoid fever by 122 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, flies), 4. Kellogg, V. L. The San Jose scale in Japan, Science, New York, Mar. 8, 'or. — Lampa, S. Ocneria dispar, i pi., 67, i ; Report of the State Entomologist for 1899 [in Swedish]. 67, 2 — Lowe, V. H. Miscellaneous notes on injurious insects, figs. Bulletin 180, New York Agric. Exper. Station, Geneva, N. Y., Dec., 'oo — Noel, P. The peach aphis, 55, Mar. i. — Plumaeher, E. H. Remedy against mosquitoes [Planting of castor-oil beans], Consular Reports Ixv, No. 246 Wash- ington, Mar., '01 — Quaintaiice, A. Li. Insect Notes, i. pi., I3th An- nual Report, Georgia Exper. Station, State College of Agric. and Me- chanic Arts, Experiment, Ga., Jan., '01. — Riviere, C. and Liecq, H. Means of defense to oppose against the Acridians of Algeria, Bulletin, Societe Nationale d'Acclimatation de France, Paris, Aug., 'oo. — Sander- son, E. E>. Some plant-lice affecting peas, clover and lettuce, figs., 4. Sjostedt, Y. San Jose scale, its developmental stages and biology, figs [in Swedish], 67, 2. — Slingerlaiid, M. V. The palmer-worm \_YposolopJnis pometellus Harr.], figs., Bulletin 187, Cornell University Agric. Exper. Station, Ithaca, N. Y., January, '01. — Sparkes, C. W. Locust destruction and use of fungus, The Agricultural Journal, Cape Town, Jan. [7, '01. — de Vevey, S. A. Pseudo parasitism of Chelifi-r cancroides in man ; Three observations of erucic stomatitis provoked by the larva of Liparis chryssorhcea L., 13. — Wilcox, E. V. Abstracts of recent publications, Experiment Station Record, xii, 6, Washington, '01. AKACHNIDA.— Cambridge, F. O. P. Arachnida Araneidea, vol. ii, pp. 177-192, pi. xiii, 15, clx ; id., pp. 193-208, pi. xiv [Salticinae*], 15, clxi. — Cambridge, O. P. Arachnida Araneidea, vol. i., pi. xxxvi, 15, clx. — Dabl, F. Foundation of a scientifically useful collection of spiders, Sitzungs-Berichte, Gesellschaft der naturforschenden Freunde in Berlin, Jan. 15, 'or. — Foa, A. Do polymorphism and parthenogenesis exist in the Gamasidae? [Answer to both questions : no.], 13 figs., 69, 2. Katbariiier, L. Observations on care of the young in a spider (Stego- dyphns liiieatns Latr. ), 81. — Leonardi, O. Natural history of the in- sect-inhabiting Acarids [i, Wandering forms ; 2, Commensals ; 3, True parasites], 69, i. — Thor S. Mites as enemies of ants, Nyt Magazin for Naturvidenskaberne, 37 Bind, 4 Hefte, Christiania, 1900. — Tragardb, I. Nothrus nia.viiniis, a new Oribatid found fossil in the Glossothenum cave and still living in Patagonia, figs., 22, Jan., 21. — Trouessart, E. Description of new species of Halacaridre, Bulletin, Societe" d'Etudes Scientifiques d'Angers, xxix, 1900. — Tullsren, A. Two new species of Chelonethi (Pseudoscorpions) from America*, 67, 2. PROTOTRACHEATA.— Bouvier, E. L. Characters and affin- ities of an Onychophore of Chili, Peripatopsis Blaiircillci Blanchard, 22, Feb., 4. — Purcell, W. F. On the anatomy of Opistliopatits cinctipcs Pure., with notes on other, principally South African, Onychophora, 3 pis., Annals, South African Museum, ii, 4. London, Dec. 4, 'oo. MYKIOPODA.— Verboett, C. W. Contributions to knowledge of palaearctic Myriopods, xvii, 2 pis., 119. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 123 COLLKMBOLA.— VVahlgren, E. On some new Collembola from southwestern Patagonia, i pi., 67, 3-4. ORTHOPTERA.— Hay ward, K. The katydid's call in relation to temperature, 5. — Laurent, P. Some further notes on Te/nn/, in sinensis (Sauss.), i pi., 14G, ii, 2. — Scuddcr, S. H. Four new species of Hippiscus*, 4. — Seiss, C. F. Notes on Stagomantis Carolina, 14<>, ii, 2. HEMIPTERA.— Berg, C. Rectifications and annotations to the Synopsis of the Hemiptera of Chile, by E. C. Reed. Anales, Museo Nacional de Buenos Aires, vii, Nov. 22. 'oo.— Cliainpioii, G. C- Rhyn- chota Heteroptera, vol. ii, pp. 345-368, pis. xx, xxi [Gelastocoridse, Nepidae*, BelostomidBe], 15, clxi. — Cockerell, T. D. A., and King, G. B. Notes on Crypticerya Townscndi Ckll , fig., 5. — Distant, W. L. Description of a new species of Cicada from the Bahama Islands, 8. — Gillette, C. P. Identification of two of Fitch's species, viz., Dclto- ccphalns melsheimeri and Chlorotetti.i- unicolor, 5. — Gross, J. Re- searches on the ovary of the Hemiptera as well as a contribution to the question of amitosis, Zeitschrift fiir wissenschaftliche Zoologie, Ixix, 2, Leipsic, Feb. 15, '01. — Haiidlirscli, A. New contributions to know- ledge of stridulating organs in the Rhynchota, figs., Verhandlungen, k.k. zoologisch-botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien, 1, 10, Jan. 28, 'or, — Hem- pel, A. Descriptions of Brazilian Coccidae, 11, Feb. — Kirkaldy, G. \V. Evolution of our present knowledge of the British Rhynchota, 21. Lugger, O. Hemiptera or Bugs injurious in Minnesota, figs. Sixth Annual Report of the Entomologist of the State Experiment Station of the University of Minnesota to the Governor for the year 1900. St. An- thony Park, Minn., Dec., i, 'oo.— Macgillivray, A. D. Cicadidae : American genera and species, 4. — Mordwilko, A. On the biology and morphology of plant-lice, fam. Aphidte [in Russian], parts ii, iii, 11), xxxiii, 1-2. — Newstead, K. On the progress in the study of the Coc- cidae, 21. COLEOPTERA.— Aurivillius, ('. See Lepidoptera.— Beau- lieu, G. Scarabaeidce of the Province of Quebec (cont ). 37. — Brad- ley, J. C. On the distribution of the Cicindelidae, 14<>, i, 5. — Brown- ing, G. W. List of Cicindelidoe taken in Salt Lake Co., Utah, and ad- joining counties, 14<>, i, 5. — Castle, D. M. Dichelonycha fuscula [at Philadelphia], 14G, ii, i.— Cockerell, T. I). A. Cicindt-Ia lcf>uhi in New Mexico, 14O, i, 5. — CrevecoMir. F. F. Notes on the Cicincle- lidie of Onaga, Kansas, 14O, ii, i. — Davis, C. A. The distribution of the Endomychidae, 14<>, ii, 2. — Jakowleft', B. E. Description of some new species of the family Lucanidae,* figs., 19, xxxiv, 3-4 — Pic, M. Description of new Coleoptera, 55, Feb. i. — Planet, L. Monographic- essay on the Coleoptera of the genera Lucanus and Pseudolucanus (cont. ), tigs.. 55, Mar. i. — Kaspail, X. Mclolanlha and its cycles, Revn<- Sricntifique, Paris, Mar. 2, '01. — Rest, N. E. Notes on the Cicindelida- 124 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, of Central Pennsylvania, 146, i, 5. — Scmciiow, A. On a new genus of the family Hydrophilidae and contributions to the study of morpholo- gical parallelism [in Latin and Russian], 19, xxxiv, 3-4. — Tower, AV. L. On the origin and distribution of Leptinotarsa decem-lineata Say, and the part that some of the climatic factors have played in its dissem- ination, 147. — Tscliitsclierine, T. Memoir on the tribe Harpalini ; Notes on the Platysmatini of the Museum of Natural History of Paris,* Revision of the submenus Bothriopterus Chaud. (genus P/afysma Bon., Tsch.), 19, xxiv, 3-4. DIPTERA. — Berlese, A. On the modifications of some tissues during the metamorphosis of Calliplwra crythroccphala, 69, 3. — Cliag1- noii, G. Preliminary studies on the Syrphidce of the province of Quebec (cont.), 37; Preliminary list, No. i, of Canadian Diptera, 146, ii, i, 2,- Hemlel, F. Contribution to knowledge of the Calliphorinae, 38 — Melicliar, LJ. On the occurrence of Drosophila ampelophila in great numbers, 38. — v. Roder, V. Triclioscelis n. gen., Dasypogoninae, Diptera, 136.— Speiser, P. On the Nycteribidae. bat-parasites of the group of Diptera Pupipara, i pi., 119 — Supiiio. F. Observations on phenomena occurring during the postembryonic development of Calli- phora cry throe ephala, 2 pis., 69, 2 ; Open letter to Prof. Antonio Ber- lese [on metamorphotic phenomena in Calliphord\, 69, 3. — Williston, S. W. Diptera, vol. i, pp. 217-248. [Supplementary ; various families*], 15, clx. LEPIDOPTERA.— Aurivillius, C. Lepidoptera and Coleoptera collected by Prof. A. G. Nathorst's Arctic Expedition of 1898-9, by the Swedish Expedition to Bear Island in 1899, and by Conservator G. Kolt- hoff's Expedition to Greenland, 1900. [In Swedish.] Ofversigt, Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Forhandlingar, 1900, No. 10, Stockholm.— Dogiiiii, P. Description of new Lepidoptera, 55, Feb. i. — Dyar, H. GT. Life-histories of North American Geometridas, xx, 5 — Fernald, C. H. A century of Lepidopterology in North America, 21. — God- 111:111, F. D. Lepidoptera Rhopalocera, vol. ii, pp. 557-588, pis. xcix, c, 15, clx [Pamphilinae*], id., pp. 589-596, 15, clxi.— Hampsoii, G. F. The Lepidoptera-Phalsenae of the Bahamas""", 11, Mar. — Hilse, O. Are birds butterfly-hunters?, 84, Feb. 7.— Kaye, W. J. Progress in the classification of the Sphingides during a century and a half, 21. — L/ag'er- lieim, G. On the question of the means of defense of plants against caterpillars, 67, 3-4.— Moore, F. Lepidoptera Indica, part xlviii. London, Lovell, Reeve & Co. 1900. Rec'd. Mar. 14, '01. [Vol.iv, pp. 225-260, index, title page, description of plates. Pis. 373-378. Nym- phalinoe, group Argynnina.]— Plateau, F. Protective resemblance in the chrysalids of Rhopalocera, figs., 55, Feb. 15.— Quail, A. Marginal wing bristles in Lepidoptera, fig., Entomologist, London, Feb., '01.— Rye, H. B. New histories in Hydroecia, 4. — Schaus, AV. Descrip- tion of some nt-w species of Heterocera,* 11, Mar. — Sicli, A. Illustra- tions of Lepidoptera, being imprints of impressions, 21. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 125 II YMKNOPTEKA.- Emery, C. On the thorax of ants and par- ticularly of the neuters, 14 figs., (>t>, i.— Liigcrheim, G. On Lasiusfn/i- ginosus Latr. and its fungus culture, 67, i. — Stoyel, A. C- A curious instance of the labor-saving instinct in the leaf-cutting bees, Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society, x, 5, London and Hertford, Sept., 'oo. — Thor, S. See Arachnida. Doings of Societies. The fourteenth regular meeting of the Harris Club was held at 35 Court Street, Boston, on the evening of February 15, i go i , Mr. Newcomb presiding. Six new members were elected, nameh- : Miss Denton, Miss Blount and Miss Wiswell, all of \Vellesley, Mass. ; Messrs. J. H. Herrick of Hudson, Mass., A. J. L,ewis of Boston, and Charles A. Osgood of Newton ville, Mass. Mr. Bolster opened the discussion of ' winter collecting ' with an account of methods pursued in collecting Coleoptera,- sifting, examination of ant-hills, bark, etc. Mr. Swett told of a harvest of Ichneumonidae obtained from a pine stump. Mr. Morse exhibited a series of the Orthoptera which may be found in New England during the winter. Mr. Lowell told of a water beetle, species undetermined, which has lived in an aquarium for three years. Mr. Rogers described the killing of young turtles by water beetles. Mr. Harvey Mitchell showed a melanic male of Colias p/iilo- dicc from Medford, Mass., and an Argynnis, supposed to be iiiyrina, from Bryantville, Mass., which displayed excessive development of the silver markings of the under surfaces of the secondaries, the interspaces being solid patches of silver. Mr. Burrison exhibited some butterflies from Yellowstone Park. \V. L,. \V. FIELD, Secretary. The regular stated meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social was held March 20, 1901, at the residence of H. \V. \\\-n/el, 1523 South 1 3th St. Thirteen members present. Visitor, Mr. H. Viercck. President Mr. Charles \V. Johnson in the chair. Professor Smith stated that one of the larvae of m<>M|uiu>es 126 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, mentioned at the last meeting had changed to the pupa state on March ijth. He also said that his observations upon mos- quitoes were made in winter, while those of Dr. Howard were made in summer and on a different species ; this might account for the difference in the conclusions to which they arrived. Mr. Johnson asked if there was any plant life in the water, and Professor Smith stated that there was quite a good deal of organic matter in the pitcher plant when he collected the mos- quitoes, and all of the contents was placed in the water. The water had not become foul on account of the lack of plant life. Dr. Skinner said that many years ago mosquitoes were con- sidered important factors in keeping water pure, but now they are injurious to man as carriers of disease, and the bad proba- bly overbalances the good they do. He spoke about the rela- tion of yellow fever and mosquitoes, and stated that the period between biting and the appearance of the disease was placed at thirteen days. On account of the time taken for the mosquito to become virulent he thought that that the disease might be caused by a proto/oan, and not by bacteria. Mr. Wenzel said that a vessel arrived at this port some years ago with a cargo of rags from an infected district, and the disease was spread through the city. Dr. Skinner stated that the insects are carried by ships and freight cars to different places, and by biting people would cause yellow fever to appear in districts a long distance from the original source of the disease. Mr. Johnson stated that it has been proven that some species of mosquitoes carry disease and others do not. Dr. Skinner said that the water supply of Havana had been made much purer within the last two years, but yellow fever exists as violently as before, and this seems to show that water supplies do not carry the disease as much as has been suppose. Dr. Skinner exhibited specimens of PsalidoguaiJius fricndii, a beautiful, large, green longicorn from South America. They came packed in a cigar box with cotton and cut cork, and evi- dently had not been killed, as the alimentary canal was full of cotton from the head to the latter extremity, from which some IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 127 of the cotton protruded. Hunger had evidently caused them to eat the cotton in comparatively large quantities which they could not digest.* Mr. Fox read a note upon the generic name Moncdula which had been used for a genus in Ornithology in 1762, and also in Hymenoptera in 1802. As the name used in Ornithology has priority a new one must be used in Hymenoptera, and Stictia Illiger, proposed in 1807, was suggested. A discussion upon priority and pronunciation of scientific names took place and Professor Smith mentioned three names which in England would be pronounced the same way, but on the continent would be given an entirely different pronunciation. Mr. Johnson spoke about the effect of pith upon insect pins. He received a number of insects from Germany mounted upon pith, and, in looking at the insects recently, found that that part of the pin which had been in the pith was eaten away, and the insects were lying at the bottom of the box. Professor Smith said that if the pith was not perfectly dried it might cause the damage spoken of. Dr. Skinner asked about the best method of mounting mos- quitoes, and Mr. Johnson suggested using small pins or mount- ing like Coleoptera. Mr. Boerner moved that a vote of thanks be extended to Dr. Skinner for the able manner in which he entertained us at the last meeting. \VlLLlAM R. REINICK, Secretary. A meeting of the American Entomological Society was held February 28th, Dr. Philip P. Calvert, President, in the chair. Thirteen persons were present. Mr. H. W. Wenzel exhibited his fine collection of Lampyridn\ which contains nearly every described North American species. Dr. Skinner exhibited some agave pith from California, and said it was excellent for lining store boxes and boxes for mailing insects. Mr. YVenzel said an objection to its use for permanent collections was the * On further examination it seemed likely that the cotton h.ul artificially introduced from the posterior part of the body. 128 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, fact that it corroded the points of the pins. Mr. Johnson said palmetto pith would destroy the ends of pins. Dr. Skinner exhibited specimens mounted according to a method devised by Prof. O. B. Johnson of Seattle, Washington. Dr. Calvert gave an account of a bicycle trip he had made during the summer of '98 to the lake region of the southeasern part of New York State and the adjoining region in Pennsylvania. The time was between July i6th and August 5th ; twenty-two ponds being- visited in search of Odonata. The collecting in the mountain- ous parts was not particularly good. The most favorable places were found to be Sawkill Pond near Milford, Pa., and in Sullivan County, N. Y., at De Bruce and White L,ake. EnaUa^iiia pollution wras one of the interesting finds, inasmuch as it had been originally described from Florida and subse- quently from Maine. The speaker had also taken it at Clemen- ton, N. J. l<,naUagma piscinarinm was taken at Silver Lake near the Gap. The difference between this and gcminatitni was pointed out. The collections made were exhibited and Dr. Calvert spoke favorably of this region as a collecting place for the entomologist. DR. HENRY SKINNER, Secretary. A regular meeting of the Newark Entomological Societ}- was held Sunday, March loth, at 3 P. M., at Turn Hall, fifteen members and three visitors being present. President Buchholtz presided. Mr. Luccareni was elected secretary to take the place of Mr. Kemp, who will leave in a few days for an extended collecting trip through Arizona. Mr. Stortz re- ported the capture of Panagtzus fasciatus at Springfield, N. J., March 3d. The genus Arsama was discussed by the members present, and Messrs. Buchholt/,, Reinecker, Halterman and Straub exhibited specimens for comparison. G. A. LUCCARENI, Secretary. We regret to announce the death of Mr. Frederick Clarkson, of New York, a subscriber to the NEWS, who was interested in general entomology. ENT. NKWS, Vol. XII. VI ' AMBLYCORYPHA OBLONGIFOLIA J MENRY BLAKE. PINX. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. VOL. XII. MAY, 1901. No. 5. CONTENTS: Scudder — Pink Grasshoppers 129 Williamson — Preservation of Colors in Dragonflies (Odonata) 131 Webb— Notes on Cychrus, with the Description of a New Species.... 133 Johnson — A New Method for Perma- nently Mounting Insects 136 Fox— Letters from Thomas Say to John F. Melsheimer, 1816-1825.— Ill I3§ Snyder— Over the Range in a Wagon (to be continued) 141 Editorial 148 Entomological Literature 149 Economic Entomology 153 Notes and News 158 Doings ofSocieties 159 Pink Grasshoppers. By SAMUEL H. SCUDDER, Cambridge, Mass. See plate VI. The insects commonly called grasshoppers by English speak- ing peoples are separated by naturalists into two great families, in one of which the antennae are much shorter than the body and moderately thick, while in the other they are longer, often very much longer, than the body, and are exceedingly slender, tapering and thread like. The former are generally found on the ground and as a rule are of some brown color, while the latter, at least when winged, are commonly confined to trees and bushes and are usually green. There are, however, many exceptions both as to habitat and color. The long- horned or green grasshoppers are usually green throughout, or with the exception of some minute and inconspicuous spots or streaks ; but many species exist in two forms, one of which is grass-green, while the other is dead-leaf-brown, there being no difference between them, ex- cept in the general tint. It is to this group of grasshoppers that belong all the noisy tribes of Orthoptera i excepting only the crickets ), of which the 130 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, katydid is an example, and which stridulate by rubbing together the bases of the fore wings, provided for the purpose \vith a sort of tambourine, a tense thin membrane stiffened by cross ribs ; all these songsters are males, the wings of the females being unprovided with the apparatus necessary to produce a sound. The short-horned grasshoppers stridulate but feebly, and generally by scraping their fore wings with the hind thighs — fiddle fashion. Very rarely — it has been recorded less than a dozen times- one of these long-horned grasshoppers is found of a violet or pink color instead of green or brown. It occurs only as a rare ' sport." A pair of these, belonging to the species known as Amblycorypha oblongjfolia, are figured on our plate, painted from life, as they were feeding on the flowers of golden rod, which they devour with great zest. The female with its sabre-like ovipositor is shown above, the male below. The female is of a pale coral red verging on ma- genta, the abdomen a shade paler, while the male is of an orange red. The tegmina or fore wings of the female are of a very clear color, with scarcely a single fleck of brown, while those of the male are much dotted with brown (at least as com- pared with what we ordinarily find in this genus) and flecked longitudinally with yellow, while the stridulating field, the tambourine, is almost entirely dull brown, and an obscure patch of the same color, more distinct on one wing than on the other, appears beyond the middle. In both, the palpi are of the color of the body, but the eyes are green and the antennae luteous, as in normal examples. This pair of pink grasshoppers was captured at Woods Holl, Mass., at the end of August, 1886, and other specimens were taken during the same month, one so early as the ninth of August. The first example of the sort that I ever saw was a female of another species of the same genus, Amblycorpyha rotundifolia, taken on Sharp Mt., Pennsylvania, at the end of August, 1878, and sent me by the late Dr. Joseph L,eidy. Riley, however, records a pink specimen of A. oblongifolia in his Sixth Missouri Report (p. 169), and Johnson speaks of another in Science for 1889, p. 32. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 131 Brunner, in his monograph of the subfamily Phaneropterinse, to which these grasshoppers belong, gives instances of similar sports in other members of the same group, but I cnnnot learn that the phenomenon is known in Europe, which, however, possesses very few species of Phaneropterinae, excepting such as are short winged, in which it could not appear to such ad- vantage ; but the phenomenon is not wholly confined to this group, since an example of it has been found in the true katy- did, Cyrtophyllus pcrspidllatus, belonging to a distinct subfam- ily, Pseudophyllinpe, taken at Point Pleasant, New Jersey, 1883, as reported in the proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy by Lewis ; and a species allied to it was named rosct- ceus by Stal, on account of the color of the wings in a specimen seen by him from Central America. The Pseudophyllinse are not found in Europe. I have never heard of this phenomenon in any other subfam- ily, such, for instance, as the Conocephalinae, where we some- times find dichromatism — green and brown varieties. The causes \vhich produce this curious sport among green grasshoppers are wholly unknown. The specimens I saw alive appeared quite healthy and acted in a normal manner. One thinks at once of autumn leaves and their change from green to red, and notices that these grasshopper cases all occur in the autumn, so far as known ; but then it is only in the autumn that these insects mature and have their wings, and one of those taken at Woods Holl was found as early as August gth. Kven to the end of August, all residents at Woods Holl in 1886 insisted upon it that they had had no temperature at all ap- proaching the freezing point ; and finally what are we to say to Stal's rosaccus, taken at Chiriqui in Costa Rica? I leave these questions to the physiologists. Preservation of Colors in Dragonflies (Odonata). By E. B. WILLIAMSON. The following note is offered more as a suggestion than as a statement of any positive results. The experiments were tried with only one species. I'jnillagma civile. At the time I was 132 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, unable to obtain other desirable species in numbers sufficient to test the methods. I would suggest that similar experiments on some species of Sympetrum and some ^Kschna or Anax might yield something of interest in the way of color preservation. More than two hundred males of Enallagma civile were caught one forenoon, and the following conclusions result from treating these specimens in various ways. Mr. D. A. Atkin- son, of Pittsburg, has had good results in the preservation of herpetological material by thoroughly hardening in formalin solution and then using a solution of zinc sulphate (ZN SO4, i pound; H2 O, 3 gals.) for the permanent preserv- ing fluid. This will not do, however, for dragonflies. Thor- oughly hardened in 95 per cent, alcohol or 6 per cent, forma- lin and then placed in zinc sulphate solution the}7 slowly blackened and spoiled. They spoiled more rapidly if placed in the zinc sulphate without previous hardening. Specimens pre- served in 6 per cent, formalin, in a few days turned dark obscure reddish. Formalin is, at the best, an unsafe perma- nent preservative for material of any kind. In glass stoppered jars, sealed writh vaseline, it disappears, not, as often stated, by evaporation, but by decomposition. It is valuable in fixing the colors of fishes, salamanders, etc., but even in strong solu- tion does not seem able to set the colors of Enallagmas. Specimens were placed in 95 per cent, alcohol. In this, colors are natural after three months. Specimens were papered after being in alcohol eight days. Color preservation good, shrinkage bad. Specimens papered after one month in alcohol did not shrink any more than those of eight days, but there was some whitening of postocular spots and blue of thorax. Specimens were papered after four hours in benzine. Color preservation good, but the blue of thorax took on a slight violet tinge. After a few hours in benzine specimens soften and the abdominal segments fall apart easily. Specimens hardened in alcohol, then placed two days in ben- zine, and finally papered had the colors almost perfectly pre- served, but with the hint of a white line on either side of the black mid-dorsal stripe. Specimens placed four hours in ace- tone and then papered also had the colors well preserved, but ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 133 with some whitening anteriorly of the antehumeral blue line. Specimens placed in acetone are hardened and do not soften and break up as in benzine. Specimens previously hardened in alcohol do not soften in benzine. Specimens were placed four hours in acetone, eight hours in benzine, and papered. There was no shrinking or breaking, and color preservation was good with the exception of some whitening of the postocular spots and the blue of the thorax. This last method I am especially anxious to see tried with some of the larger species mentioned above. Discoloration of specimens which are allowed to dry without any treatment seems to be due to putre- faction in the course of drying, and later the possible spread of oily matter from the ovaries or alimentary tract. Acetone is miscible in both water and benzine. Specimens taken from the cyanide bottle and placed in it sink at once. A few hours should suffice to replace all the watery fluids of the insects by acetone. Transferred to benzine, the acetone is replaced by benzine, and the fats are dissolved. Taken from benzine the specimens dry almost at once ; and the water and fats are thus removed within a few hours. All the specimens treated with alcohol, benzine and acetone, and then papered, were subse- quently relaxed in the ordinary way. Hardening by the chemicals did not interfere with pinning and spreading the specimens of this small species for the cabinet. Notes on Cychrust with the Description of a New Species. By J. L,. WEBB, Pullman, Washington. Cychrus idahoensis n. sp. — Black, with indistinct bronze lustre ; form elongate, rather convex , head moderately elongate, smooth, shining ; geme incised ; thorax cordate, slightly wider than long, sides arcuate, oblique posteriorly, with little or no sinuation ; pronotum feebly convex hind angles slightly obtuse ; median longitudinal line with the two ante- rior lines running cephalo-laterad from it, sharply defined ; basal impres- sion moderate ; lateral longitudinal impressions well defined at base, very taint or obsolete at middle ; elytra oval, convex, more attenuate behind than in front, the margins narrowly reflexed, with no trace of green or gold coloring; surface u striate, stria.- more or less interrupted by the 134 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, interspaces running together, especially toward the margins and poste- riorly ; body beneath smooth and shining. Length 11.5-13.3 mm. Male with joints 1-3 of anterior tarsi spongy pubescent beneath. This species is related to C. marginatus Fisch., which it closely resembles in form. It presents, however, the following differences from that species, viz : pronotum less suddenly nar- rowed behind with less evidence of sintiation, having the two lateral longitudinal lines less well defined ; margins narrower and less strongly reflexed ; the elytra are slightly more convex with narrower margins, the latter having no trace of green or gold coloring ; the striae are interrupted by the interspaces running together forming lacunae, rather than the interspaces being interrupted by punctuation ; 1 1 specimens collected by myself on Cedar Mountain, Latah County, Idaho, and 3 at Collins, Idaho, 8 males and 6 females. The types are deposited in the collection of the Washington Agricultural College, and duplicates will be sent to the Nat- ional Museum and American Entomological Society. During the past two or three years I have collected quite a number of specimens of Cychrus relictus and regularis on Cedar Mountain, Idaho. C. relictus has also been collected at Spo- kane and Pullman, and C. regularis at Wawawai, Washington, by Prof. C. V. Piper. Relictus was described by Dr. Horn from a single male speci- men collected at Spokane, Washington, by Mr. Ricksecker (Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. , vol. ix, p. 188). Regularis was described from a single pair also collected by Mr. Ricksecker in the Cceur d'Alene Mountains, Idaho (Tr. Am. Ent. Soc., vol. xii, p. 2). In his description of this spe- cies L,eConte says : "Black, not very shining, of the same form and sculpture as C. relictus, except on the elytra, which have twelve perfectly regular and entire im- pressed punctured striae ; the i3th is composed of separate punctures con- fused with the marginal ones ; the interspaces are somewhat wider than the striae, the 4th and 8th are interrupted by only 3 or 4 punctures." I have made a close examination of a number of specimens of regularis, and I find apparently all gradations between regu- laris and relictus. I have four specimens of relictus from Spo- kane, the type locality of this species, and have examined 51 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 135 specimens of regularis, but give here a description of the vari- ations from the typical form of only 10. The specimens are numbered consecutively, and are otherwise typical. 1. Right elytron with six interruptions on the 8th interval. 2. Right elytron with five interruptions on 4th interval and six on 8th ; left with seven on 8th and two on gth. 3. Right elytron with gth stria interrupted, left with i2th interval but once. 4. Punctures on 4th and 8th intervals very faint. 5. Right elytron having yth and 9th intervals interrupted once, left having 4th and 5th striae run together and confused. 6. Right elytron having 4th and 8th intervals with very faint indication of interruptions, left having 4th interval not entirely interrupted in any one place and 8th with only faint indication. 7. L/eft elytron without interruption on 4th interval ; striae on both el3rtra toward the margins confused. 8. Left elytron with eight interruptions on 8th interval ; right with seven on 4th, and eight on 8th ; 6th interval wavy and punctured. 9. Right elytron with five interruptions on 4th interval, seven on 8th, and four on nth, 9th and loth run together in some places ; left' with six on 4th, and having striae somewhat confused toward the margin and posteriorly. 10. Right elytron with six interruptions on 4th interval, seven on 8th, and three on i ith ; left with six on 4th, eight on 8th, and one on nth. Also, the Spokane specimens of relict us show some tendency toward regular striation on the elytra, two or three striae on one or two specimens being moderately straight. One specimen from Cedar Mountain shows the characters of both species to such an extent that it is impossible to say defi- nitely whether it is relict its or regular is. This shows quite clearly that the differences between relict us and regularis are not so constant as the types seemed to show. It appears to me, after making an extended examination, that in extreme regularis the interspaces between the striae have their sides perfectly smooth and straight, and that in UK 136 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, specimens which seem to be intermediate between regularis and relidus, the interspaces become more and more wavy, until the striae are no longer regular and entire, but broken up as in relidus. The following might be suggested as a revised description of regularis : Form and general appearance of C. rclidus, ex- cept on the elytra which have 12 impressed punctured striae, generally regular and entire. The thirteenth is composed of separate punctures confused with the marginal ones ; inter- spaces somewhat wider than the striae, the fourth and eighth being generally interrupted by from four to eight punctures, and one or two interruptions occasionally occurring on one or more of the other interspaces, especially on the yth, gth and nth. * -«•»• • A New Method for Permanently Mounting Insects. By Prof. O. B. JOHNSON, Seattle, Wash. To the Brethren of the Net ! Just a few words about a new method of permanent mounting for insects that I have been experimenting with and that seems valuable. It consists of a box or case made in two parts with pasteboard sides or rim, and with top and bottom of glass. These glasses are both of the same size, the bottom one fitting flush with the outside of the rim, while the top one fits inside the cover rim, so that the two parts "telescope" together. These cases are ^ inch deep inside, and of sizes increasing in length by inches from 3 to 12, and in width by ^ inches from \y2 to any width desired. These sizes are easily fitted into 12 or 1 8 inch drawers of %' or i inch depth — thus in the 12 it takes i, 12 ; 2, 6s ; 3, 45 ; 4, 35 Or 9 -f 3, 8 + 4, 7 + 5. The insects are mounted in the conven- tional position, J -f 9 side by side in the same case on a short piece of oo pin inserted in the usual manner into the thorax, only from the underside. This pin in turn is inserted into a bit of cork that is finally fastened to the bottom glass by a touch of Le Page glue. These cases can be made by any box factory, just what the cost would be will depend upon the place, IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 137 I suppose, or collectors can make them themselves, which I do, but I have more time than most folks, being confined to the house. Well, after having the case, to mount the insect, first relax thoroughly, then expand upside down on the ordi- nary setting board, only made perfectly horizontal, in the usual manner. When dry place them still upside down on a strip of smooth cork, and after extracting the pin from the thorax, used in setting, replace it with a piece cut from an o or oo pin YZ inch long dipped in mucilage, being careful not to let it pro- ject clear through, and also to have it stand vertical in drying, during which it is wrell to replace the glass weights used in ex- panding over the wings. Now take a sheet of ^ inch fine quality cork and cut cubes J/& inch, thrust a setting needle through one side, and with a very sharp knife slope off the corners diagonally, making a cone shape with a hole through, into this hole press the outlier end of the short pin, now well dried ; first dipping it in mucilage. Now place the specimen, still upside down, in the bottom portion of the case, and with a strip of glass long enough to reach across the sides, adjust the cork by sliding it up and down on the pin until it will just touch the underside of the glass, of course, if the pin touches the glass it must be cut down before adjusting the cork, which if the pin was ver- tical and the hole through the cork perpendicular with the sur- face, it will now touch evenly, if not, must be trimmmed with the knife until it does. This having been done to the pair, place them as you wish them to appear, still ups'de do\vn, on any smoth and level surface, clean the inside of the bot- tom glass thoroughly, touch a very small bit of the glue with a setting needle to the bits of cork and invert the box, dropping it gently down until the glue touches. If all has been done cor- rectly it will rest evenly all around the edge and the specimen will not be displaced ; if so, let it dry an hour, clean the cover glass, " telescope" it on, label and put away and your mount will have these advantages. ist. The conventional position $ and 9 side by side is re- tained. 2nd. The insect is held entirely by one pin in the thorax as usual. 138 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, 3rd. All of the essential and desirable features of the " block system ' obtained, thus avoiding the tedious repinning for accessions. 4th. The iionecessity for a double series of each species to ex- hibit the underside, every example is available by simply turn- ing over the case. 5th. All dangers of moisture, drafts, coughing, sleeves, pen- cil points, dropping eye-glasses, dust, and insects are avoided. 6th. Labels and data are inseparable from the insects, especi- ally desirable in types. yth. Easily examined with a hand lens above and below. 8th. Material can be passed around during a lecture or meet- ing without fear of injury, or loaned to your friend and fellow enthusiast, the kindergarten teacher or otherwise made to serve a much wider field — for if a collection is not educational it is senseless. gth. As to the cost each one can figure that out for their own locality and condition, and if I have omitted anything I will cheerfully answer all inquires. O. B. JOHNSON, 610 Pike Street, Seattle, Wash. Letters from Thomas Say to John F. Melsheimer, 18 16- 1825.— III. Philadd. July 3Oth 1816 Dear Sir I have sent you pr. James Griffith, Baltimore the following Insects that I hope may meet your acceptance, it is true their number is very limited but they may possibly interest you being foreigners — the names of some of them may be wrong as I have not the chance of reference to many books, if they are so please to correct me— L/in. Molossus — Pithecius — Indicus & Cinctits of India Tityus of Maryland — Curculio Iinpcrialis — Splendens of South America & Squamulosus of India — Buprestis vittata of India — Elater noctilucus of Jamaica (this insect was presented to me alive, its light was very vivid) I cannot determine the species of Chrysomela of South America Mcloc (Mylabris) Bifas- IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 139 data — Gryllns roseus-India. — Tettigonia atrata-India ( I do not think that our common noisy Tettigonia has ever been de- scribed, it cannot certainly be the Tibiccn, its very obvious dis- tinctive characteristic, the white spots could not have been overlooked ) Cimcx Sincnsis of India Cimex (^TelyrTi-ab") Stoc- kerus of India — Fulgora Candclaria India Nepa Fusca of India —Papilio — . 1/i/nitia & Nos 2. 3. 4. India Argantc — Sara — Phyl- lis & No i. South America — Orithya Leucothoe — India Libcl- lida Ferrugenia — of India — Vespa bicolour. Cincta India the names of those alluded to by the above numbers, I could not ascertain by L,in's short descriptions as translated by Turton, the only general work on Entomb I have in my possession— probably you may know them — Dytiscus limbatus of India, I have not seen the American species, but should much doubt from some circumstances of their being the same, but you can now determine by comparison— I do not see the necessity of removing 294 from the Ips, its characters for the most part seem to agree pretty well with that genus ; at any rate I hardly think it can be placed with the G. Triplax inasmuch as the Palpi are not hatchet shaped— In examining those I have of the Ips, I found that 291 dif- fered considerably in its generic characters from the others, I allude more particularly to its Palpi, perhaps it would be more correct to place it in the genus Erotylus of L,atr. , though it may bear considerable affinity with Tritoma & Triplax . The Insect 708 does not appear to me to be altogether at home in the Genus Clerus — I think it ought to be transplanted in company with N?s u6&ii7to L/atreilles Genus Necrobia— is 708 found on dead animals ? One of the characters of Anobiuin Pcrtinax is " Elytra with 8 striae of minute excavated punctures" — N? 164 has 10 struu on the Elytra besides an abbreviated one each side the scutel, taking this differece into consideration with your observations on the thorax & magnitude of our Insect when compared with Pertinax I perfectly agree with you as to the necessity of adapting a new name to our insect— With the Genus Hyphydrus I am totally unacquainted, but the Dytiscus maculatus of your catalogue most certainly belongs 140 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, to the Genus Haliphis of L/atreile it is so strongly characterized as not to be mistaken — These two Genera Hyphydrus & Hali- plus perhaps are the same but of different Authors ? I have not been so fortunate as to obtain another specimen of the Diopsis though I have hunted faithfully, it appears to be a rare insect, and I have no doubt different from Illiger's insect the description of which you were so good as to extract for me ; yet like that it may be characterised "Nigra, alis fas- cia etc ' ' but in the details it appears to differ — I have thought to name it brevicornis as the peduncles of the eyes are not longer than the distance between their bases, they are brown — head, posterior spines, & feet pale yellow — poisers white, Thorax brownish black, lateral spines & abdomen black — Fore thighs very much thickened & with the shanks brown but the joints are pale yellow — its length is 2 lines — I found it on the Swamp Cabbage (Pothos fcetida) — May- When I had the pleasure to be at your house, amongst the very interesting insects you shewed me one (of which you had several specimens) that you thought was a new genus — it is an elongated cylindrical insect — that which I take to be the male is black, with a reddish thorax and black dorsal stripe — (L/iune would have placed it with Tenebrio) In looking over a ne- glected draw[er] in my cabinet today I found a couple of specimens of it & upon examining them but without discection, I concluded that it approached nearest to the Genus Languria of Latreille & might be placed there but for its palpi which are not filiform, — Elytra very dark green approaching black- general colour of the female rather lighter. On the lid of the box within you will find two plates of In- sects intended for my American Entomology they are all to be coloured — I send you the plate of G. Tityus as the first one that I have had 'coloured you will therefore not criticise it with too much severity as the artist is young & will improve I have the satisfaction to see in this first attempt that the thing is practicable in this country, which has been heretofore much doubted — The plate of Papilio Philenor will exhibit the style of engraving which however is entirely obscured by the colour when it is laid on & therefor need not be very fine its principle igOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 141 service seems to be to direct the colourers I intend to send you an impression of each plate coll? is they are produced— I have a great many remarks to make on Insects in my pos- session either rec1? from your Father or of my own collection with which I shall trouble you in future communications in the mean time those contained in this letter are respectfully submitted to your consideration and decision I remain Affectionately Your Obdt Servt Thomas Say N. B. I had forgotten to say that there is also in the box a Cicindela which as it is not found in the immediate vicinity of this City I thought it might be rare with you— I found it in great plenty on the sea shore two or three years ago & have- met with it in sandy parts of the Jerseys— T. S. I cannot see Latreille's reason for altering the Fabrician Genus Geotrupes it appears according to him that the true Fabrician Scarabsei such as your 14, 15, 16 are Geotrupes — & of the Fabrician Geotrupes he makes Scarabrei, is this owing to caprice, or is it to puzzle the student, I feel strongly inclined to adhere in this instance to Fab :— I would thank you to let me know the title of the book in which Professor Knock ' describes all those Insects marked K in your Catalogue- Over the Range in a Wagon. By PROF, and MRS. A. J. SNYDER. (Continued from page 113, Vol. XII.) On the way down from the Pass the insect fauna soon changed. We saw more large .-Ir^yniiis, Colitis and Lycn-na. The road lay through almost interminable pine forests, and gradually de- scended until finally we came out into Middle Park. This por- tion of country for a few miles was park-like, but of the remainder the name seemed a misnomer. After passing " Idle- wild," where we saw fine skins of a mountain lion and a huge bear, we passe-d Fraser P. O. and store, and then the road for 1 Knocli. — VV. J. K. 142 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, two or three miles lay between fine hay ranches. Fortunately, we had made the acquaintance of a teamster at the cabin near the Pass, and when we entered the Park he met us and told us where to find good fishing grounds. Some four or five miles within the Park we came again to hilly country and soon turned from the main road into a lane, and after a mile or two of inde- scribable roads interspered with bridges that no eastern horse would step upon, we came to the banks of the Fraser River. Here we camped in the midst of such excellent pasture land and amidst scenery of such surpassing beauty, that we forgave the roads, bridges and everything else that had been unpleasant. Along the road we saw Parnassius smhit/iens, Satynis charon, dcnonympha and several Picris. We were in camp early and prepared reels and rods for a try at the trout, but they were too shy to make our acquaintance. A friendly rancher, how- ever, supplied us with enough for supper and gave us hints sufficient to enable us to catch some of the speckled beauties the next day. All through Middle Park and to the northwest the fishing is good at all times and the catching excellent— when the contrary trout will bite. We never had many in camp at one time but often all we could eat. The one bait which they could seldom resist was a live grasshopper, and we soon fell into the habit of collecting hoppers while hunting, and confining them in brass shotgun cartridges by placing a wad over them until needed. Few insects were to be found near our camp here. Arg. eurynome, P. sminthcus, Pam. syl- vanoidcs and dcnonvmpha were fairly common and a roving Plnsia could be taken now and then. Even at this date it was becoming so dry that insects were scarce. July 2ist, we left Fraser River and took the stage road to Coulter. Just before reaching this post-office we saw the first covey of grouse. It was near this place that the only sage hen observed during the trip was seen skulking into the sage brush. Satyriis charon and Lycccna hctcronca were abundant. Will, caught a beautiful abberration of P. sminthcus, and we saw a few Argynnis. The high altitude had been too much for the youngest of the party, so we omitted an intended side trip to Grand L,ake, and hurried on to Sulphur Springs and the only doctor for miles around. Merel)T stopping in town long enough ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 143 for medicine, we proceeded on our way through the canon of the Grand in search of a good camping ground. This canon is very beautiful but unpleasantly dangerous to one unused to wild roads. The single narrow wagon road winds along at the base of mountains which are almost or quite perpendicular, while immediately below, on the other side, roar and tumble the green waters of the Grand River. It is over three miles in length, and until one becomes used to its wildness there is more of fear than pleasure in such a ride. Here we met a team on a spot too narrow to permit a very safe passage. It wyas necessary to lift one wragon over against the mountain and then hold the other stead}- while its team crawled past. We found one of the exciting experiences of mountain travel to be the watching for places wTide enough for teams to pass and the exercising of such care that we would not be caught in a narrow place. Usually, one constituted himself a forerunner and sig- nalled back when another team was found approaching. We were relieved when we were out of the canon in safety, and as darkness was coining on rapidly wre hastily selected a place for a camp and arranged things for the night. Here we spent a week awaiting the arrival of friends who were expected to join the party but who failed to meet us. Gooseberries were along the river and were as delicious as cultivated ones, either in pies or stewed. The grouse frequently came for the grouse berries which were plentiful. The trout would bite at times— always enough to encourage us to keep on trying — and many birds came to the trees, while the taxidermist found trapping for small rodents not unprofitable. In the sage brush Pseitdo- hazis hera were flitting, but hard to catch, and on the moun- tains above us were many Melit(ca lu/n/tta and Hipparcliia dionysius. But here, as on the Fraser, the drouth seemed to have very materially lessened the insect life. Almost daily clouds and winds would arise about i o'clock and almost carry away tent and provisions, while it blew sand and dust into our eatables. In spite of all, however, Satyrus charon was every- where so abundantly omnipresent that it fairly became tiresome to see it and seldom another species. During a walk to Sulphur Springs, in hope of receiving mail, a few good specimens \vere taken, among them Clirvsofi/Kuuts rir^i 144 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, July 2 yth we began preparations to leave camp on the Grand, and on the morning of the 28th were ' ' hitting the trail ' ' shortly after seven o'clock, and along a good road. For some miles we followed the general course of the Grand, more frequently than otherwise being compelled to turn out and climb some steep hill because some rancher must have all the grass land near the stream and also wanted all the land the law would allow ; so had also fenced in a few hundred acres of sage brush and barren land that could never be of any possible use to him. We were frequently annoyed by the necessity of traveling miles around such an enclosure when to have permitted a wagon road near the edge of the stream would not have injured the ranch- er's usable land. One is surprised to find that every foot of land in this and most sections of Colorado visited, except in Routt, Co., seems to have been preempted ; provided, always, that there is a possibility of irrigating without any serious effort. Most of this day's drive was through the everlasting sage brush, Troublesome is the first village on the way and there we found ten houses including barns and one post-office. From this station to Kremmling the country varies little, but there are some beautiful hay ranches along the river. Beyond Kremmling one enters almost at once the foot-hills of the Gores Range, leaves the Grand on the left and enters a desert of alkali with sage brush and grease- wood. Towrard evening we came to a little ranch up in the mountains, an Eden in the wilderness, seemingly, where a rancher had utilized the water from several springs to such advantage that he had an excel- lent garden and an abundance of hay. Here we bought hay and went into camp for Sunday. Along the road from Kremm- ling, Clcomc was abundant, and always on its blossoms were numerous Pamphila. Few other insects were seen, except now and then a white Pseudohazis flitting through the sage too warily to be taken. It was during this day's drive that \ve stopped the team while Will attempted to shoot a rare bird. The gun snapped several times but no report followed. On his return to the wagon we wondered why our shot gun, never known to miss fire before, should have failed him ; until he finally acknow- IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEV/S. 145 ledged that he had been attempting to shoot one of the sheels that we had loaded with grasshoppers to use as bait for trout. The ranch near which we camped is the old Jones Ranch, now owned by a Mr. Draper, who, by combining several occu- pations, is able to make a good living in the midst of a desert. Living with Mr. Draper at this ranch was a most interesting personage, Mr. A. J. Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds is almost en- tirely deaf, so that it was difficult to question him ; but once started, it was easy for him to relate anecdote after anecdote concerning frontier life in the Northwest. We gained many facts concerning his life, including a romance that would well serve as the basis of a thrilling story of life in the West in early days. Suffice it here to say that Mr. Reyolds never married but became a wanderer in that vast wilderness and played a noble part in its preparation for civilized life. He came into the Northwest in '43 with the first emigrant train that crossed with wagons to Oregon. This was shortly after Dr. Marcus Whitman crossed the plains, and he helped to bury Dr. Whitman and Mrs. Whitman in '47. He was one of the party that pursued the Indians who had taken all the other women prisoners ; helped recapture them and killed one of the leading chiefs. All the following winter he and sixty others fought the Indians and came near starving to death, for most of the time there was nothing but horse flesh to eat. The Indian story of the cause of the murdering of Dr. and Mrs. Whitman is that the whites gave the Indians the measles. The Indian method of curing disease was to steam themselves over heated stones placed in water, then to jump immediately into cold river water. When those afflicted with the measles tried this remedy they died, and a priest told them that the medicine that Dr. Whitman gave them was poisoning them, then they killed Dr. and Mrs. Whitman in revenge. For a number of years Mr. Reynolds was a guide to the Yel- lowstone Park regions and he knew that country and Montana perfectly. He acted as Hayden's guide in his survey of the Park and told anecdotes of Hayden. During one of the last, probably the last Indian trouble in that region, he and three others were attacked in the Park bv the Nez Perces. He owed 146 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, his life to a slight incident. He had been leading the part}' all day, but on coming to where the trail forked his companions insisted on taking the road to the right, while he wished to turn to the left. They started on without him and were some distance ahead when the Indians fired upon them and the three companions were killed. His horse was shot from under him, and in falling on him crushed his left leg. He then crawled to a rocky ledge and defended himself until dark, then crawled to the road, and with the aid of a stick made his way back to the ranch-house which he found in flames. He remained in hiding for a time, then found eggs and potatoes for food. Meantime the broken leg had swollen and become very painful. The next morning he saw a cloud of dust and supposed a band of Indians to be coming. He started toward the rocky ledge lining the Yellowstone determined to sell his life as dearly as possible, when he discovered the dust to be caused by a band of soldiers under General Steptoe — he was not quite positive of this name — but, wounded as he was, he was taken along to guide the soldiers in the pursuit of the Indians, while an army surgeon gave such relief as was possible. Mr. Reynolds also accompanied and aided Captain Drannan in the recapture of Olive Oatman who had been captured by the Mohave Indians. He was also one ef the party of English and Americans who surveyed the northwest boundry of the United States. At the time of the Custer massacre he and five companions were prospecting on a mountain near the battle and heard the firing. Next day he and a man named Clark came down the mountain and found Custer and the dead soldiers. He had known Custer and recognized him at once. He and Clark then met Reno and guided him to the scene of Custer' s death. Mr. Reynolds stated that in all his travels he has never found an Indian tribe without its Catholic priest. He is now almost seventy-six years old and feels that his usefulness is past. In his own words, " he is too sore and stiff to travel as he would like to do." When we left him on the following morning he told us all about the country we expected to visit and gave us explicit directions. On showing him a Rand- IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 147 McNally map of the country, and asking him to mark out the road on that he said : " Oh, put that away ! Do you know how them maps are made ? Some eastern college fellows come out here and they travel along until they come to a stream. After they cross it they dismount and say, ' what is the name of this river ? ' Then they sit down and draw a crooked line the way they imagine it flows and call that a map of the coun- try. If they find a stream that has no name they give it their own and go on." No one in that country used maps and \\v soon discarded our own, for we found that in this matter, at least, Mr. Reynolds was right. No map that we have seen correctly portrays Routt County. We have related these stories as they were written that evening in our notes, and the reader of history may prove them true or false. Prosperity has smiled sufficiently upon Mr. Reynolds that he might spend the last days of his life in town and in comfort, but the romance of his life made him a wanderer, and he will draw his parting breath among the mountains and away from the common paths of men. He sat on the porch of that little cabin and waved us a farewell, then turned to look out upon the mountains where more than a hundred head of fine horses which he owned were grazing. We saw him again on our return, and he smiled a smile of satisfaction when we told him that we had found everything as he had said in the country beyond. We again bade him farewell, regretting that we could not learn more of his eventful life and give something of his knowledge to the historians. Many times since then my mind has gone back to that lonely figure with its head bowed at times over a cane, yet erect and straight as the northern pine when he stood to bid us God speed. 'Tis a lonely figure in the wilderness, a simple, faithful being upon whom sorrow fell in youth, but failed to embitter and who has traveled on during almost eighty years faithfully doing service on the frontier. I see him now calmly awaiting the summons of the death angel, a pathetic figure about whose mystic life a worthy pen might weave tales equaling those Cooper related of the times when the East was a frontier similar to the one Mr. Reynolds found in the West in his youth. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfully receive items of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.] To Contributors. — All contributions will be considered and passed upon at our earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep- tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer- ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num- ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five "extras," without change in form, will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged. — ED. PHILADELPHIA, PA., MAY, 1901. Now is the time that we again think about living insects, and there are certain thoughts that arise in connection with the work of collecting that are very important. When you catch your insects don't put them away in cigar boxes with- out data and depend on your memory to supply the facts when you wish to use the specimens. The chances are that when you next open the box the specimens will be infested by Anthremis and you will have forgotten the data. Get a supply of pin labels, like those supplied by Mr. Nell, and put one on each pin at once. We are sorry to say there are some entomologists who think a State label is sufficient — we hope for their reformation. Make your papers to contain L,epidop- tera symmetrical ; cut off the little turnover triangles and always iron the papers before using. If you put pin numbers on your specimens have them very small and preferably printed. We have had specimens sent here with numbers on the pin one inch in length ; they had been cut from a calendar. Mount your specimens the same height on the pin, and in the L,epi- doptera pin the abdomen on the same plane wdth the thorax and don't let it sag down any old way and point east or west. Pin the antennae on the same plane and parallel to the costa and don't have them " boxing the compass." These are small matters but important, so heed them. 148 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 149 Entomological Literature. COMPILED BY P. P. CALVEKT. Under the above head it is intended to mention papers received at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia pertaining to the Entomology of the Americas (North and South). Articles irrelevant to American entomology will not be noted. Contribu- tions to the anatomy, physiology and embryology of insects, however, relating to Ameri- can or exotic species, will be recorded. The numbers in HEAVY-FACED TYPE refer to the journals, as numbered in the following list, in which the papers are published ; * denotes that the paper in quest ion con tains descriptions of new North American forms. Titles of all articles in foreign languages are translated into English; usually such articles are written in the same language as the title of the journal containing them, but when such articles are in other languages than English, French, German or Italian, this fact is indicated in brackets. 4. The Canadian Entomologist, London, Ont., April, '01. — 5. Psyche, Cambridge, Mass., April '01. — 8. The Entomologist's Monthly Maga- zine, London, April, '01. — 9. The Entomologist, London, March, '01.- 12. Comptes Rendus. L'Academie des Sciences, Paris, '01. — 21. The Entomologist's Record, London, March 15, '01. — 35. Annales, Societe Entomologique de Belgique, Brussels, '01. — 4O. Societas Entomologica, Ziirich-Hottingen, '01. — 58. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, Val- paraiso, Jan., '01. — 75. 3151 Annual Report, Entomological Society of Ontario, Toronto, 'or. — 81. Biologisches Centralblatt, Erlangen, Mar. 15, '01. — 84. Insekten-Borse, Leipsic, '01. — 1O1. Rovartani Lapok, Budapest, '01. — 1O4. Mittheilungen, Naturhistorisches-Museum zu Hamburg, xvii, 2, Beiheft, Dec. 28, 'oo. — 1O5. Videnskabelige Meddel- elser fra den naturhistoriske Forening, 1900, Copenhagen. — 14(5. The Entomological Student, Philadelphia, April 15, 'or. — 148. Bulletins, New York Agric. Exper. Station, Geneva, N. Y., Dec., 'oo. — 149. Anatomischer Anzeiger, Jena, Feb. 23, '01. THE GENERAL SUBJECT.— B[urr], M. Auguste de Bor- mans, portrait, 21. — Csiki, E. On the insectophobos [apparatus for collecting microcoleoptera ; in Magyar, German summary], figs., 1O1, Feb.— Gauckler, H. The new arrangement of the insect collection in the grand-ducal cabinet of natural history at Karlsruhe in Baden, 84, Mar. 21, 28. — Iiiihof, O. E. Ocelli of insects. 81.— Krecsy, B. En- tomological instruction in America [at Amherst, Mass.; in Magyar], 1OI, Feb. — Lameere, A. The death of Baron de Selys-Longchamps, 35, xliv, 13, Feb. 27. — Lecailloii, A. On the various cells of the ovary which take part in the formation of the eggs of insects, 12, Mar. 4. — Lochhead, W. Nature study lessons on the squash bug (.h/asa /ris- tis), figs., 75. — S. Dr. O. Staudinger [biography, bibliography], por- trait, Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift, Iris, Dresden, 1901, Zweites Lepidopterologisches Heft, Feb. 20, '01. ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.-Austeii, E. E. The life his- tory of warble-flies, 8. — Cockerell, T. D. A. A new plant-louse injuring strawberry plants in Arizona,* 4. — Corbett, E. L. Spraying : 150 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, results of the season, 1900, figs., Bulletin 70, West Virginia Agric. Exper. Station, Morgantown, W. Va., Nov., 'oo. — Dearness, J. A parasite of the San Jose scale [ Tyrog/yphus sp.], 75. — Fielding'-Ould, K. Ma- laria and its prevention, Nature, London, Mar. 21, '01. — Fisher, G. E. et al. San Jose" scale discussion, 75. — Fyles, T. W. Annual address of the President [Insects beneficial to vegetation], 75. — Lemaire. Note on the tsetse" fly, Bulletin, Socie'te' royale de Geographic d'Anvers, xxiv, 4, '01. — Lochhead, W. A plea for the systematic and economic study of the forest insects of Ontario, figs., 75 ; The silkworm industry in Ontario, 75 ; The present status of the San Jose" scale in Ontario, 75.— v. Ruder, V. On the biology of the fly Hypoderma bovis Dec., 84, Apr. 4. — Schaufuss, C. Two Diptera injurious to roses, 84, Mar. 28. — Sirrine, F. A. A little known asparagus pest [Agromyza simplex Loew], figs , 148, No. 189.— Smith, J. B. Two strawberry pests, 2 pis., Bulletin 149, New Jersey Agric. Exper. Stations, New Brunswick, N. J., Feb., 27, '01. — Van Slyke, L. L., and Andrews, W. H. Report on analyses of Paris Green and other insecticides in 1900, 148, No. 190. —Webster, F. M. Results of some experiments in protecting apples from the attacks of the second brood of codlin moth, 75 ; Results of some applications of crude petroleum to orchard trees, 75 ; Notes on two longicorn beetles affecting growing nursery stock, figs., 75, and also in Journal, Columbus Horticultural Society, xv, 4, Columbus, Ohio, Dec., 'oo ; The San Jose" scale problem as compared with the orange scale problem, Science, New York, Mar. 29, '01 ; Report of the Committee on Entomology [strawberry insects, use of crude petroleum in orchards], 8 pis., Ohio Horticultural Report, 1900. [Place of publication not given]. — Wilcox, E. V. Abstracts of recent papers, Experiment Station Rec- ord, xii, 7, 8, Washington, '01. — Cox, D. G., Evans, J. D., Fletcher, J., Gregsou, P. B., Johnston, J., Lochhead, W., Moft'at, J. A., Keuuie, R. W. [Papers on insects of 1900 in Canada, figs.], 75, ARACHNIDA.— Dearness, J. See Economic Entomology.— Peckham, G. W., and E. G. Spiders of the Phidippus group of the family Attidie,* 6 pis., Transactions, Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters, xiii, pt. i, Madison, '01. — Pocock, R. I. The Scot- tish Silurian scorpion, i pi., Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, No. 174, London, Mar., '01. — Rostrup, S. Greenland Phytoptidce,* i pi. [in Danish], 1O5.- -Simon, E. List of the Arachnida collected by M. C. E. Porter in 1899 at Quilpue and at Molle, and by M. B. Wilson in April, 1900, at Rio Aysen (western Patagonia), 58. MYRIOPODA.— Meves, F., and v. Korff, K. To knowledge of cell-division in myriopods, 5 figs., i pi. Archiv fiir mikroscopische Anatomic u. Entwicklungsgeschichte, Ivii, 3, Bonn, Feb. 25, '01. ORT HOPT ER A.— Caudell, A. N. On some Arizona Acridiidse,* 4. — Faxon, W. The habits and notes of the New England species of CEcanthus, 5. — d'Herculais, J. K. The great American migratory Acridian (Schistocerca americana Drury) ; migrations and area of geo- IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 151 graphic distribution, 12, Mar. 25, 'or.— Packard, A. S. Occurrence of Melanophns e.rtreuius in Northern Labrador, 5. — Rehii, J. A. G. The Linnean genus Gryllus, 4. — Scuclcler, S. H. The species of Diapheromera (Phasmidse) found in the United States and Canada,* 5. NEUKOPTEKA.— Davis, W. T. Additions to our local fauna and flora [Staten Island Lepidoptera, Odonata], Proceedings, Natural Science Association of Staten Island, viii, 3. — Fyles, T. W. The dragonflies of the province of Quebec, figs., 75. — Hiiie, J. S. A re- view of the Panorpidffi of America north of Mexico, 3 pis. Bulletin of Scientific Laboratories of Denison University, xi, Granville, Ohio, Feb., 'or. Also as Ohio State University Bulletin, v, 7, Columbus, O. — Mof- t'at, J. A. Parasites in the eggs of Chrysopa, figs., 75. HEMIPTERA.— Cockerell, T. D. A. Notes on some Coccidse of the earlier writers, 9; See also Economic Entomology.* — Horvath, G- On the abdominal tubes of plantlice [as means of defense ; in Mag- yar, German summary], 1O1, Feb. — King", G. B. Lecanimn M\:h- steri Ckll. and King, n. sp., with notes on allied forms,* 4. — Newstead, K. Observations on Coccidae, No. 19, figs., 8. — Reed, E. C. Synop- sis of the Hemiptera of Chile (cont.), 58. CO LEOPTEK A. —Barrett, O. W. See Lepidoptera.— Belon, Pere. The genus Cortilena Motsch. (Lathridiidae) and synopsis of the species now known, 35, xlv, 2, Mar. 23. — Dury, C, A new Calandrid from Cincinnati, Ohio,* fig., Journal, Cincinnati Society of Natural His- tory, xix, 8, Mar. 27, '01. — Fenyes, B. A giant Bostrychid \_Dinapafe U'rightii; in Magyar], 1O1, January. — Flicbe, P. On a fossil insect [Coleopter] found in the Trias of Lorraine, 12, Mar. 11. — Gregson, P. B. Habits of the larvae of Dermestes talpinus (Mann.), figs., 75.— Jacobsou, G. Interesting case of mimicry among Russian Coleoptera [in Russian], Annuaire, Muse'e Zoologique de 1' Academic Imperiale des Sciences de St. Petersbourg, 1900, v, 4. — Kuans, W. Collecting notes on Kansas Coleoptera, ii, 4. — Miiller, J. Contribution to knowledge of cave Silphidae, i pi., Verhandlungen. k. k. Zoologisch-botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien, Ii, i, Feb. 25, '01. — Pic, M. Diagnoses of exotic Anthicidae,* 35, xlv, 2, Mar. 23 ; New Coleoptera of the Hamburg Mus- eum, 1O4. — Reiigel, C. On the biology of Hydrophilus piceus, 81.— Schenkliiig', S. New Cleridae of the Hamburg Museum,* 1O4.— Webster, F. M. Observations on several species of Dermestida-, 75. — Wickham, H. F. Cicindelidae at artificial lights, 14(>. DIPTERA.— Austen, E. E. See Economic Entomology.— Chag-- 11011, G. Preliminary studies on the Syrphidae of the province of Que- bec, Naturaliste Canadian,- Chicoutimi, Quebec, March, '01. — Christo- phers, S. R. The anatomy and histology of the adult female mosquito \_Cul e.v and Anopheles\, 6 pis., Reports to the Malaria Committee of the Royal Society, 4th series, London, March 30, '01. — Coquillett, I). AV. New Diptera in the U. S. National Museum,* Proceedings, United States National Museum, No. 1225, Washington, '01. — v. Kertesz, K. Spin- 152 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, ning Diptera [in Magyar, German summary], 1O1, Feb.— Lundbeck, W. Diptera grcenlandica* [in Danish, diagnoses of new species in Latin], 1O5. — Packard, A. S. Occurrence of Anopheles quadrimacii- latus in Maine, 5. — v. Ruder, V. See Economic Entomology. LEPIDOPTERA.— Bachmetjew, P. Why do the diurnal Lepi- doptera fly only during the day and most nocturnal ones in the night? 4O, Feb. 15.— Barrett, O. W. Stray notes [Lep., Col.], 146 — Chap- iiisin, T. A. Notes on Luffias, with incidental remarks on the phe- nomenon of parthenogenesis, 21. — Cockerell, T. D. A . Lepidoptera : Some insects of the Hudsonian zone in New Mexico, iv, 5. — Davis, W. T. See Neuroptera. — Dog'iiiii, P. Description of new Lepidoptera, Le Naturaliste, Paris, March 15, 'or. — Dyar, H. G. On certain identifi- cations in the genus Acronycta, 4 ; Life histories of North American Geometridse, xxi, 5- — Fletcher, J. [Notes on some Canadian Lepi- doptera], 75. — Gibson, A. The breeding of Lepidoptera, with notes on the inflation of larvae, 75. — Green, E. E. Moth catching by elec- tric light at the Boer camp, Diyatalawa, Ceylon, 8. — Grote, A. K. Systematic arrangement of the North American Lepidoptera, 4. — Mall, F. J. Notes on the Noctuid group Dicopinae of Kansas City, Missouri, 146. — Heath, E. F. Notes on the occurrence of Lepidoptera, etc., in southern Manitoba, 4. — Heylaerts, F. J. M. Description of an un- published Psychid from Argentine Republic, Chalia Kunckeli, 35, xlv, 2, Mar. 23. — Kusnezow, N. On the protective coloration and attitude of Libythea celtis Esp., fig., Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae, xxxv, St. Petersbourg, Nov., 'oo. — Ljmun, H. H. Notes on Walker's types of Spilosoma congrua, and 'a few other types in the British Museum, 4. — Marshall, G. A. K. On the female pouch in Acrcea, 9.— Mclutosh, W. The hawk and bombycine moths of New Brunswick, introductory list, Bulletin, Natural History Society of New Brunswick, iv, 4, St. John, '01. — Moffat, J. A. Anosia archippus yet again, fig., 75. —Nash, C. W. Notes on Danias archippus, 75. — Pageiistecher, A. Libytheidae, 4 figs., Das Tierreich, 14 Lieferung, Berlin, Feb., '01.— Slevog't, B. Are Arctia caja and other brightly colored Lepidoptera eaten by birds? 4O, Mar. 15. — Standings, M. Synopsis of experiments in hybridization and temperature made with Lepidoptera up to the end of 1898, 9. — Tutt, J. TV. Migration and dispersal of insects : Lepidop- tera, 21. HYMENOPTERA.— Ashmead, W. H. Hymenoptera : Some insects of the Hudsonian zone in New Mexico, iv*, 5.— Cockerell, T. D. A. The bee genus Dio.rys in America, 146. — v. Dalla Torre, li. W. A couple of nomenclatural remarks on the group Ichneumoninae of W. H. Ashmead's ' Classification of the Ichneumon Flies,' etc., of 1900. Wiener Entom'ologische Zeitung, xx, 3, Mar. 10, '01. — Dickel, F. My views on the results of the Freiburg researches on bees' eggs ; Facts de- cide, not views (two papers), 149. — Emery, C. Notes on the sub- families Dorylinae and Ponerinae, 35, xlv, i, Mar. 7. — 3Iorice, F. !>., 1901] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 153 and Cockerell, T. D. A. The American bees of the genus Andrcmi described by F. Smith, 4. — Observer. How do bees manage to sur- vive the winter? British Bee Journal, London, March 7, '01. — Plateau, F. Observations on the phenomena of constancy in some Hymenoptera, 35, xlv, 2, March 23. — Prowazek, S. Observations on ants [senses of], Der Zoologische Garten, Frankfurt a. M., Feb., '01. — Kudovv. Some observations on insect buildings, 84, Mar. 7. — Weissinanii, A. Remarks on Herr Dickel's article [see ante'}, 149 DEPARTMENT OF EEONOMI6 ENTOMOLOGY Edited by Prof. JOHN B. SMITH, Sc. D., New Brunswick, N. J. Papers for this department are solicited. They should be sent to the editor Prof. John B. Smith, Sc.D., New Brunswick, N. J. SOME NOTES ON THE LARVAL HABITS OF CULEX PUNGENS. BY J. B. SMITH, SC.D. New Jersey's reputation for mosquitoes is well established, and more people come into our State annually to be bitten by our shore species than go to any other State in the Union for any like purpose. In some of the swampy districts in the pines they make life a burden at times, so when my good friend J. Turner Brakeley wrote me in the late summer that, in looking at the contents of some pitcher plant leaves he had found mosquito larvae in abundance in the water they contained, it made no especial impression upon me. It was in a way what 1 would have ex- pected, though no one had noted this, so far as I could then remember. Dr. Rileyat one time bred a number of species from this plant ; but seems either to have found no mosquitoes or to have ignored them. Mrs. Treat made many interesting observations on the feeding habits of the plant itself, feeding the leaves with raw meet in place of the insects that ordin- arily fall into them ; but she also ignored the mosquitoes. Late in November I spent three days with Mr. Brakeley at Lahaway, and one of our walks was into a huckleberry and wild cranberry swamp where pitcher plants were abundant. Though the weather was yet quite mild, mosquitoes were no longer obtrusive. There were occasional specimens to be sure, but they seemed to be left-overs not yet in hiberna- ting quarters. The interesting point was that in every leaf examined there were wrigglers varying in size from an eighth to a quarter of an inch in length. There was always a mass of insect fragments at the bottom, say from one-half to an inch in depth, and in composition this varied from a dense black ooze at the lowest point to entire or only partly decayed specimens at the top of the mass. The question arose at once whether these larvae would yet develope that season, and from published accounts 154 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, I assumed that they must or perish. Dr. Howard in his careful account of the species of Culc.v, and especially piingcns, says nothing of larval hibernation. He records finding adults, and, indeed, this was in accord- ance with my own experience. The matter dropped here until late in January, when, during a bitter cold spell, Mr. Brakeley cut out a few pitcher leaves, stripped them from the core of solid ice they contained, and looking through saw wrigglers imbedded in all parts of it, in all sorts of shapes, but mostly in a half coil. The temperature of the bog had been down to 2° below zero, as regis- tered by a standard minimum thermometer, and radiation probably lowered this even more. A number of leaves were gathered, the cores of ice with all they con- tained were removed and the lumps were placed together in a jar in a moderately warm room. The ice melted slowly, and as the larvae were gradually freed they dropped to the bottom where for a time they rested, apparently lifeless. But as the amount of ice decreased, feeble motions here and there indicated a revival, and long before the lumps were com- pletely melted, those first released were moving about actively. This be it noted was in water not much above the freezing point. Soon after the ice had melted and the debris had settled, the insects were busily en- gaged in apparent feeding. The specimens were sent to me as a curiosity January 22d, and arrived in very good condition. A few had succumbed to the dangers of the journey, but altogether there was a good lot of lively wrigglers. The bottle was nearly full of water ; it had had a rive mile wagon drive over a rough road, had been transhipped no less than four times before it reached New Brunswick, and was thrown into the delivery wagon Any regular breathing under these circumstances, of the kind usually de- scribed, was utterly out of the question, and drownings should have been numerous ; but really only a very small number of specimens died. At short intervals other jars were received, all of melted ice taken from pitcher plants, until I had several hundred active wrigglers in eight differ- ent jars. Some of the leaf chunks, Mr. Brakeley informs me, had only a very few larvae — ten or a dozen ; others ran as high as thirty or more. The jars were all placed on a counter shelf near a steam radiator, and it was expected that in a few days there would be pupas and adults. But the days passed into weeks and the weeks into months, without change, other than a gradual— a very gradual — increase in size. The larvae were just as active and lively as they could be expected to be, and were feeding continuously ; but evidently something was lacking. Besides, they did not in all respects behave as, according to Dr. Howard's account, they should have done. 1 do not suggest that the account as printed is not a perfectly accurate record of facts : merely that my specimens were Jer- sey mosquitoes and therefore a law unto themselves. As the fragments settled to the bottom the water became almost en- tirely clear, the larvae congregated over this sediment, feeding head down IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 155 and frequently rooting into it: varying the process by working along the glass of the jar on the side away from the light. It was very rare that an individual was observed at the surface with the spiracle in breathing position. I watched patiently several times 15 minutes at a time without noting a single individual rising to the top. Mr. Dickerson, one of the students, watched more or less continuously for two hours on one day and declared positively that during that period only a small percentage of the entire number came to the top. On two or three occasions, where my work was such as to allow it, I kept ajar within sight the entire day, and I have no hesitation in saying that some individuals remained below the surface for hours. Occasionally a number of specimens would be at the surface, feeding, head up, so that the mouth brushes skimmed the surface, and these were watched on occasions for fully 20 minutes without noting any attempt to assume the breathing position. In fact, during the two months that these larvae were under daily observation, the rising to the surface to breathe was the rare exception rather than the rule. As to feeding positions, all of those figured by Dr. Howard were noted. Usually they were head down over the bottom sediment or head up, feed- ing along the sides of the glass or at the top. The mouth brushes serve as organs of locomotion as well as for feeding, and the insects are per- fectly able to make their way from place to place without moving any other part of the body. The jerky, wriggling motion is used when they wish to get away quickly, and as often to get down to the bottom as to get up to the sur- face. They can and often do sink slowly to the bottom without any mo- tion whatever, and often to sink more rapidly, they curl themselves up into a ring. Occasionally a specimen will get hold of a bubble of gas forming at the bottom and will allow itself to be floated to the surface. It is immensely interesting to watch these little creatures ; but as week after week went by without change, it became just a little tedious. To hasten matters a little, on March ist I placed the two jars first received on a water bath which was kept at a temperature as nearly constant as the varying gas pressure allowed. Ordinarily the thermometer ranged be- tween 100° and 110°, but it has gotten as high as 120° and as low as 90°. These were exceptions, however, and not exceeding the ordinary out-door range in June. The temperature of the water in the jars ranged between 80 and 90 almost uniformly. A difference in the rate of growth was observable after a few days, and several specimens seemed approaching the adult condition ; finally, March iSth, I noted the first pupa, 17 days after placing the jar on the water bath. From this the adult emerged March 2ist and proved to be a female C. pungens. Three other pupae were formed within a week after the first, and a second adult, also a female, was obtained March 24th. As to the habits of the larvae in the two jars artificially forced, there was little to note as different from those in the normal laboratory temperature 156 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, which varied from 40° to 78°, averaging a little under 70° for the 24 hours. They fed in much the same manner, kept away from the light as much as possible, passed most of their time at the bottom, but were more lively and more frequently at the surface. The jars were kept covered, except for a few minutes each day, and in none of them did the water foul, de- spite the vegetable and animal matter present in each. March 24th I made an experiment that resulted fatally. It occurred to me that possibly the slow growth was due to lack of food, and Mr. Brakeley had written me that the wrigglers attacked and devoured a small gnat which was breeding in his jars, suggesting that possibly a mutton chop might help matters along. March 24th I put a small lump of raw beef, chopped fine, into each of the five experiment jars. Next day I could give only a casual glance before going out of town and this showed nothing unusual ; but the day after, March 26th, when I reached the laboratory at 8 A.M., I saw at once that something was wrong, because all the living larvae were at the surface, head down, spiracle reaching the air. In every jar into which I had placed the meat I noted the same appearance, and I hastily fished out every particle. But it was too late: more than half were already dead, others seemed to show a fungoid growth proceeding from the segments so, to prevent their dying, I killed them off with a dose of formalin One large jar received in February was left unharmed, and this was placed ^ n the water bath March 26th. Nothing has come from it at the date of present writing, and nothing may ever come from it ; but its history must be written later. But this experiment, fatal as it proved, was of some value. It shows that water too foul with animal decay is not suitable for mosquito larvze. Vegetable decay, and the harder refuse from insect bodies, will help along the development ; but beyond that, the water must be clean. It seems to indicate further that the condition of the water may very largely determine the frequency with which the supply of oxygen must be re- newed from above the surface. In June, with a supply of water at a rela- tively high temperature, in which microscopic life is swarming, I have no donbt Dr. Howard's observations would be exactly duplicated. With the same species in clean water, at a relatively low temperature, the breathing habits are quite different, and the insects obtain, I have no doubt, a goodly portion of their oxygen from the water itself. Just how they do this I am not prepared to say. One thing may be considered as certainly established by this series of observations : the insect can and does hibernate in the larval stage, if this is not, indeed, the prevailing method. Mr. Brakeley scoured the swamps for miles about within the last few weeks, and wherever he found pitcher plants, almost or quite every leaf had its supply of wrigglers. It is not, therefore, a local pheno- mena. Nor is it even suggested that pitcher plants alone furnish breed- ing places where the larvae hibernate ; but they are remarkably safe re- sorts protected to a very marked extent from natural enemies. Is there IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 157 any relation between plant and insect whereby the plant receives a bene- fit? ^Do the wrigglers in any way prevent a foulness of the water from the insect fragment until the plant has absorbed what it needs? It is noticeable that during the whole winter only a single example of Ou/e.v pungens was taken in the barns, storehouses or cranberry sorting rooms, though they were diligently sought. Anopheles punctipcnnis were found quite abundantly, between 20 and 30 specimens having been taken on the windows of the sorting rooms ; but no Anopheles larvas were found in any of the collected leaves. As a [erseyman, Mr. Brakeley ordinarily pays little attention to mosquitoes, but he could not easily overlook Anopheles did it occur in any numbers in summer. He says it does not, and that he has never seen as many during his years of residence in the pines, as he did this past winter. My own experience is similar : I remember that about three years ago I was annoyed by Anopheles very early in the year in my store room in the basement of the station building. Later on I saw nothing of them, and I can say positively that the species of this genus form no part of the often considerable swarms in and near New Brunswick. In the cellar of my residence I took Culex pungens, female, March 22nd, flying. It could not well have developed there, and, of course, there can be no doubt that the species hibernates as an adult as well as in the larval stage. These pitcher plant leaves contain, besides mosquito larvae, considera- ble numbers of long, white, worm-like larvae which Mr. Brakeley suc- ceeded in breeding. Some examples submitted to Mr. C. W. Johnson he pronounced to be Aedesfuscus O. S.,* a species by no means commonly observed. The present series of notes are not by any means a complete record of the observations made on the wriggler colonies at New Brunswick and in the pines and they are not even ended ; but they will serve to call atten- tion to one or two heretofore unobserved facts. They also contain a sug- gestion : Is it not probable that the mosquitoes that swarm in Alaska and Arctic regions may pass the winter in the larval stage, frozen in the solid ice, ready, when the melting times comes, to mature rapidly. Hiding places for adults are occasionally somewhat scant in such re- gions, and the swarms are said to be even more numerous and vicious than they are in New Jersey. MR. S. T. KEMP, of Elizabeth, N. J., has started for Arizona, where he will spend six months in collecting insects. We wish him much success. MK. \V. F. FISKE severed his connection with the Experimental Sta- tion at Durham, N. H., to accept the position of Assistant State Entomo- logist of Georgia. His new address will therefore be Atlanta, Ga. * Later examples bred were Cliiroiioiniis sp., hence at least one other species breeds in these plants. 158 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, Notes and. News ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE. A CORRECTION. — In my notice of the life of Baron Edmond de Selys- Longchamps, in the February NEWS, I stated (p. 34) that ''He studied in the University of Liege"." The authority for this assertion was Vapereau's Dictioiinaire Universel des Contemporaines, sixth edition, Paris, 1893, p. 1431. It now appears that this is an error, for M. le Baron Walter de Selys has written to me " mon pere n'a jamais fait d'e"tudes universi- taires." Mr. McLachlan has correctly stated the case in his notice of the deceased in the Entomologist's Monthly Magazine for March. — PHILIP P. CALVERT. SOME time ago a box of insects came to me. They were pinned in a rather heavy cigar box, lined with agave pith. The cigar box measured S inches in length, 2^ in depth and 5^ inches wide. This box was en- closed in an outer wooden box measuring 9^ inches long, 4^ inches deep and 6>£ inches wide. Six ounces of cotton were put between the boxes. Package came by express with nothing but the address on the box. What was the condition of the enclosed insects ? If injured, why were they injured? If there were any mistakes made in the packing, what were they? We will publish the best answer in the June NEWS.— HENRY SKINNER. Sphceridium scarabcsoides Linn. — On page 73 of the Classification of Coleoptera, by Messrs. LeConte and Horn, 1883, there is a foot-note re- lating to the species which states that "an European specimen has been found in Canada, but that it was undoubtedly introduced and accidental in occurrence " Under the division of the tribe, the text reads, except Sphceridium, all the known genera of this tribe have been found in the United States." I order to correct these statements, I would like to place on record the finding of this species in the Catskill Mountains of New York during the latter part of July, 1900, in considerable numbers under fresh cow drop- pings ; some being taken d^n copula. It would seem that ikis thoroughly established in that locality, for some years ago I also took la single speci- men. While the species is included in Henshaw's List (No. 1662), I do not know of any previous record of its occurrence within the limits of the United States. — R. F. PEARSALL. GREATER NEW YORK, with the assistance of lesser New Jersey, man- aged to get together about sixteen entomologists to take part in a bug- dinner on the iyth inst. The attraction was great, or the attendance would not have rivalled previous occasions on the 4th of July at James- burg. But it was all due to the irresistable collection-collation called Bill of Fare. Some of the tid-bits mentioned were San Jose Scale on the IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 159 Half-Shell ; Broiled Pupte in Case ; Ox Bot Soup ; Baked Belostoina ; Blattis Roe ; Roast Dynasfes, stuffed with Apple Worms ; Fried Regali* Larvae, horns removed ; Cicada Steak, with New Mushroom Sauce ; Galls Sens Lat ; Drawn Sphin.v Tongues, braided ; Pickeled Lady Birds Feet ; American All-Alive Cheese ; Imported Canfhon Pellets ; Fungus Pie, Staphylinid Dressing ; Cychrns Knuckles ; Mud Wasp's Nests, with Jiggadobber Jelly ; Extract de Cimex ; Beer a la Brachynus ; Pink Anli- opa Milk ; Sparkling Double-distilled jersey Lightning (Bugs), bottled at Jamesburg under the supervision of the State Entomologist. Flies on the members were carefully removed by the waiters who secured a bushel. Cyanide, Chloroform, Sulphuric, Ether, Benzine, Naphthaline, Le Page's Glue and Bisulphide of Carbon were on tap. Other dainties, too numerous to mention, were served. Plasters of Cantharis vcsicatoria were supplied to all needing them. It is hoped that the hilarious time at this this dinner will induce a greater attendance next year. Doings of Societies. A meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social was held April lyth, at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1523 S. i3th St. Eleven members present. Mr. Boerner read a letter which he had received from our fellow-member, Mr. Philip L/aurent, who is at Enterprise, Florida, and he stated that the locality where Dr. Castle and he had collected the last time they were there had been burnt over and the collecting was very poor. On behalf of Mr. Laurent, Mr. Boerner presented each member with a beautiful souvenir from Miami, Florida. Mr. Wenzel spoke upon and exhibited the Pselaphid />rr- a.v/s honker taken at Anglesea, New Jersey, and Nisaxis fo- mentosa also found at Anglesea, which he had previously re- ceived from Florida. From the manner in which some of the Pselaphids are found they might be called subaquatic. In speaking of the difference in sexes he said that in /?. liini^fr the males outnumbered the females, while in A7, abdominal^ the females outnumbered the males. He showed some work done by a species of Scolytns in the woody fibre of the sumach which he had found at Frankford, Pa. Dr. Skinner spoke upon the preservation of insects from pests, and in twenty years' experience had found that the case which contains the drawers, or boxes, was a very important l6o ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, v factor. He did not think that a wooden case was the proper thing to use on account of the quantity of dust which collects and works its way into the interior, and suggested that a case made of tinned iron, like those used by ornithologists, would be the best. This would do away with the dust question and also the poisons which are now used. Dr. Skinner also stated that Anthrcnus varii/s was the commonest pest in collections in this locality. The question of destroying household pests was discussed by Dr. Skinner, who said that a very simple way to destroy the ants, beetles, larvae, etc. , was to melt naphthaline and pour it in the cracks, surbase, carpet or other places where the insects hide. Mr. Wenzel suggested that parafine or wax would be better because it would not evaporate. Dr. Skinner stated that wax or parafine would not do for carpet on account of non-evaporation. WM. R. REINICK, Secretary. A meeting of the Entomological Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia was held March 28th. Mr. H. W. Wenzel Vice-Director presided. Eleven persons were present. Mr. C. W. Johnson exhibited some pith (or fungus) which had caused the ends of minuten nadeln to disintegrate and allow the specimens to drop in the box. He said either moisture or an acid in the material had caused the trouble. The specimens came from Budapest, and Mr. Wenzel asked if the sea voyage might not have caused a dampness in the pith. Mr. Johnson also exhibited specimens of Anopheles quadrivict- culatiis and pundipennis ; also +-Rdcs fuscus raised from pitcher plants by Prof. Smith. He had also received ^-fLdes sappha- n'nis from Dr. Woldert, taken at the Philadelphia Neck. The difference in the palpi of the genera of mosquitoes was men- tioned. Mr. Bradley exhibited an unique box for mailing insects which had been devised in France. The inner box in cork and the outer box is padded on the inside. He also ex- hibited living young of Tenodcra sincnsis. J. A. G. Rehn, H. D. Viereck and \Y. S. Huntington were elected associates. HENRY SKINNER, .Recorder. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. VOL. XII. JUNE, 1901. No. 6. CONTENTS: Carpenter — Protection of Chionobas liatiks — A New Ascalaphid from the semidea 161 United States 172 Lovell- Prosopis Zizice 162 Fox — Letters from Thomas Say to John Snyder— Over the Range in a Wagon F. Melsheimer, 1816-1825. — IV.... 173 (conclusion) 163 ' Harvey — Contributions to the Odonata Merrick — A New Device 169 | of Maine, IV 178 Skinner — On a small Collection of But- Editorial 179 terflies made in California and Entomological Literature 180 Arizona 170 Notes and News 185 Doings of Societies 189 Protection of Chionobas semidea. By SIDNEY C. CARPENTER. I have read somewhere, but do not remember where at pres- ent, that Chionobas scmidca, the White Mountain butterfly, is being exterminated by too much collecting. Now why can't this species be protected by law ? It may seem novel to have butterflies under the protection of the law, but why should it ? Of course a great many natural objects are protected for eco- nomical reasons : game, that the supply for market may not be exhausted ; some birds, that they, in turn, may protect our vegetation from insects ; forests, that the rain supply may not be interferred with ; but a large number are protected for their own sake. Among the.se are : the game in Yellowstone Nat- ional Park ; the sea-lions on Seal Rocks, San Francisco ; the big trees in California, and the Palisades on the Hudson River. Why are the wild animals protected in Yellowstone Park ? Not that they may be available for hunting at some future time, but that they may have at least one place in this givul country where they may live and multiply in peace. Why are the Palisades and big trees protected? Simply that they may 6 l62 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, remain in all their natural beauty. In the same way the sea- lions are kept as an attractive feature of the harbor. If, as is supposed, sou idea is a remnant of the Arctic fauna of the ice age, it is fully as interesting, in its way, as the big trees or Palisades, and is as much entitled to protection as they are. Of course there is a demand for semidca among collectors, but can't the demand be met without exterminating the spe- cies? I think it can. Collectors who work at the White Mountains can do a good deal towards preserving the species by careful collecting. Although I think no true collector would do, some collectors (?) are fond of getting every butter- fly in sight if they can, and it is from such as these that I would have the species protected by law. If certain sections, in which the food plant is abundant, could be set apart as places in which all collecting is illegal, a good deal would be done towards the desired end. What does some one else think about protecting our little colony of Arctic exiles ? Prosopis Ziziae. By JOHN H. LOVELL. In the March number of Ent. NEWS, Mr. Robertson states that the name Prosopis zizice Robt. is incorrect, and that it should read P. zizite Ckll. He writes, " I have not described any species under the name P. zizicc, and have never used that name." But in the Can. Ent., May, 1896, p. 136, after giv- ing the characters of P. affinis Sm., he says, "I think that there is no question but that this is the P. affinis of Smith, but the male described by him probably does not belong to it. If, however, this should prove to be distinct from P. ajfinis, the name Prosopis zizice is proposed for it." Mr. Robertson was, then, the first to write and the first to publish the name Prosopis zizia. As the name is not required it certainly would have been better had it never been proposed. In the Entomologist, Prof. Cockerell writes: "/*. ajji)iis Smith, and P. modesta Say. Mr. Robertson formerly published igoi] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 163 the opinion that these were identical. I found I had two species from the Eastern U. S. to which I applied these names, and accordingly wrote to him about the matter. He replied that he also had arrived at the conclusion that there were two species concerned, and shortly afterwards he published the dis- tinctive characters in Can. Ent., May, 1896. His two species are the same as mine, but what he calls affinis I had called modcsta, and vice versa." After referring to the poorness of the descriptions and the difficulty of identifiying the species, he adds : " Mr. Robertson, feeling this, goes so far as to pro- pose the alternative name zizia for the proposed affinis, and until we can have a better description of the latter, from Smith's type, it will be preferable, I think, to call the insect zizia- Rob. ' ' The name ' ' Prosopis zizifs Rob. ' ' occurs several times in Prof. Cockerell's papers, and the author of the list of the Hymenoptera of New Jersey under Prosopis also writes, " Pro- sopis zizicc Robt. ' ' I do not think much importance is to be attached to attempts to identify the supposed males of affinis and modesta in Smith's and Say's descriptions. Over the Range in a Wagon. By PROF, and MRS. A. J. SNYDER. (Continued from page 147, Vol. XII.) On Monday we passed over the Gores range after a hard struggle and after we had exhausted our persuasive powers upon old Bay and Gray a number of times. The upper por- tion of this range is covered with heavy pine timber, and no doubt there is an abundance of game back from the road. Two young men who followed us and camped one night here had a shot at an elk, but the only game we saw was now7 and then a saucy pine squirrel. On the summit we found a perfect flower garden and butterflies abundant especially Argynnis. We hoped to find equally good collection on beyond, so foolishly only stopped here a short time, during which sixty-nine butterflies were taken. As we descended the range we entered a beauti- ful small park and early went into camp beside a spring of 164 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, excellent water. All the hill sides were covered at the tops with pines, and at the lower edges of these pine covered ridges were many flowers. Beautiful purple tinted columbines, sego lilies, vetches, sedum and several species of Compositse. Here too there were butterflies until the approach of evening drove them to shelter. The next day we made a long drive through Toponas, a country post-office, and on to Yampa, where the pasturage was so short that we had to hire it for our horses and turn them into the corall, or frequently change their staking ground. The day's journey was through the usual sage brush and marked by the absence of game or insects. In the midst of a small bunch of sage I found a huge cricket wrhich looked so ferocious and snapped so viciously that one hesitated to touch it. Buffalo skulls were seen occasionally, but all good horns had been col- lected long ago. In several moist places were beautiful beds of the fringed gentian, and occasionally along the road would be seen a few blossoms of another species. The western red tailed hawk was common but wary. One of the characteristic birds of this section of Colorado is the sage thrasher. At Yampa we were again camped near an excellent trout stream and Will caught nine the first evening. The next day we both tried our hands at the sport and secured a fine string of the speckled beauties, all that we could eat. Here we also restocked our provision boxes and inquired for big game. About the yard in which we camped was a fence some sixty or more yards long made entirely of old elk antlers. To the left in the distance could be seen the Flat Top mountains, the home of elk and deer. In this section it was the usual thing to see near each ranch a meat house. A house built eight or more feet above the ground, and looking much like a large squirrel or dove house. This little house is enclosed with wire netting to keep away the flies, and within it the meat is hung exposed to the air. In that dry atmosphere meat will keep almost indefinitely. After leaving Yampa, we felt that we were indeed striking into the wilderness. Our instructions carried us to a certain ranch, and from thence we were to take our course entirel)T by IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 165 keeping to the right or left of certain mountains or by follow- ing streams. After a day's drive of the usual up and down hill nature, we came to Trout Creek and decided to camp here, for a mountain rose before us too steep for a tired team. Several parties were in camp near here, and as every one we saw carried a rifle, we felt that at last we must be in a game region. Even here, we were near a ranch. It seems impossible in these days to get entirely away from the haunts of man, at least with a wagon. By using pack horses it is easy to reach points of such dense solitude that the most selfish recluse should be satisfied, but wherever a wagon can go the squatter may be found living an out-door life, and finding all that he needs for existence either through the aid of plow, pick or rifle. The following morning, after desperate persuasion of old Gray, we slowly crawled up the mountain side, past two fern thickets — the first we saw in Colorado — and about 10 o'clock came to a fine spring, in whose neighborhood we were told deer abounded. Here we found a Mr. Green, of Canon City, Col., and his son Oscar in camp. That morning Oscar had seen fourteen deer. Butterflies and even tents were forgotten, the forty-five -ninety taken from its case, and soon we were scouring the mountains back of camp where deer tracks were so abundant that it looked as though a large drove of sheep had been feeding. All the deer, however, had taken to cover, and not until we had given up the chase and were approaching camp had we a sight of one. On coming to the top of a ridge we saw a large one running through the valley some four hundred yards below, and both opened fire, but the deer escaped. THE " BUGOLOGIST'S" DEER STORY. ' Next morning, before daylight, I was up and starting through the wet grass (it had rained during the night) in search of a deer. One was found within two hundred yards of camp, but it stood so still that I could not be sure it was a deer until it gave one jump and was out of sight in the timber. Less than half a mile from camp another, a two year old buck, was found on the top of the ridge and offered an excellent shot l66 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, at about one hundred and fifty yards. As the rifle cracked the deer jumped into the air and ran. On going to the spot no sign of deer or blood could be found, but I soon found its trail and had followed it but a few feet when the deer jumped from the brush almost under my feet, giving me for an instant a decided fright. It was so badly wounded that it went but a short distance and fell. It was necessary to shoot it again. By 7 o'clock we had our deer in camp and dressed. Our thirst for blood was somewhat satisfied with this killing. But two days later I again took a ramble through the ridges back of camp and shot a second deer. This gave us all the venison we could possibly use, and as we learned later was all the deer the law allows one to kill in one season in Colorado. A couple of days later, Will saw a buck with six or seven prongs, and we made some effort to find and kill this fellow, but he was too wary. While looking for this monarch of the forest I came up on one side of a log, and a fawn about a year old jumbed up on the other side and ran about fifty yards, then turned and gazed at me in wonder. It afforded a beautifui shot, but was too pretty a picture to mar with blood, so the rifle was not raised. During the same morning a number of does were started and could easily have been killed, but we needed no meat, and were not of the number who kill for sport alone. It seems remarkable that the deer should have remained in this region, although Will had been firing the shot gun at birds aimost continually, and I have taken the time of entomologists to tell of my first deer, not only because of its interest to me, but because the story proves that there are yet places in the United States where the deer are abundant, more abundant than I had supposed them anywhere outside of Yellowstone Park." Within a day's ride of this spot, in the Flat Top Mountains, elk are still abundant, but we had traveled far enough, had accomplished all and more than we anticipated in the way of game and, moreover, there was a miserable mountain to be crossed if we continued the journey, so we made this the turning point, and after a week in camp here started home. Although several trips were made for insects nothing of value was found here except two Catocala groteiana, a few Euprepia utahensis and one Pseudohazis nuttallii. IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. l6j Thistles were abundant in many places, and about these were dozens of humming birds. A burrowing mole was abundant about camp, and several were shot by watching for them and shooting them when they came up to throw out the dirt, and Will secured some good birds. Beetles we searched for dili- gently under stones and old bark but they were not there. Pieris pallida came about the spring and an occasional Grapta. A few common species were found on lower ground along the stream, but everywhere it was too dry and too late. Two even- ings were spent in smoking our jerked venison, and then one morning we took a farewell glance at Eagle Point, which had been our land mark in all our ramblings near this camp, and realized that we were homeward bound. On our way to Yam pa we stopped at noon for an hour's collecting, where Pamphilia and Argynnis were attracted to certain Compositae growing in abundance in a little draw, and at Yampa, where we spent another Sunday, we tried sugaring, and actually caught several Catocala. On top of the Gores range where the flowers had been so abundant, we camped for an afternoon and night, and collec- ted and sugared again. Argynnids were abundant, and a few very dark Graptas \vere taken. At sugar a few geometrids were taken, but no Catocala — too high we thought and too cool at night. The bird fauna had changed remarkably since the outward journey. During all the going we had seen no butcher birds, but returning saw and shot a number. We imagined that they were beginning to migrate. Hawks were abundant and a number of large ones were killed, and among them several varieties of one species, Swainson's hawk, I believe, being the most common. On the Gores range we were just ahead of a forest fire which some careless camper had started, and whose smoke darkened the sky during all of one day. Vast quanti- ties of pine timber are destroyed every year by these fires, although rangers are continually riding back and forth through the forest reserves, and there are heavy penalties attached to leaving unextinguished camp fires. At the western base of the main range we camped one night, and again attempted sugaring. Result one L'atocala and a few 1 68 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, more of the same species of geometer. The hurrah with which we reached the summit of Berthoud Pass, was hardly less hearty than the one with which we greeted it going up from the other side. We camped two days on the summit and collected on Mt. Flora which rises several hundred feet above the pass. Snow still abounded here, and at the edge of the snow banks we found Colias mcadii. Just below the summit Parnassins smintheus, var. nanus was common, and at the timber line Lyctzna rustica was abundant. In the timber Arg. helcna was thick upon the flower patches, and an occasional Colias eury- thcme, and one or two meadii were also found here. An almost white Colias {scuddcri 9 ) was also found, but not in abundance. One day we came down from the summit and had just reached the timber line as the sun went under a cloud. On coming to a large patch of flowers we found Arg. helena and a species of noctuid resting on the flowers. The Argynnids with their wings folded back to back as though asleep. Without using the net we soon tumbled these species into the bottle until it was full. At this point we completed our first thousand insects collected, and only two hundred more were taken, making 1200, or the, smallest catch I have ever had in the Rockies. All because we were too late, and the weather was too dry. About Idaho Springs we found several species that were not seen on the outward trip. On Floyd's Hill we stuck fast and no amount of persuading or unloading could persuade old Gray to go up. At last a good Samaritan came along and helped us over the summit with his team, and because of his goodness we were able to disappoint our enemies and greet home and native land again. All was easy from this point on. We stopped again at our friend's residence, burned the remnants of our outing clothes, scrubbed ourselves diligently and replaced everything for the journey home. Our horses which had served us so faithfully, in spite of old Gray's eccentricities, were taken to the stock yards in Denver, and it was with delight that we were able to sell old Gray to one party, and see the faithful Bay go into the hands of an owner who promised to treat her well and not disgrace her by compelling her to work with such an old shirk as the one whom we had compelled her to labor. igoi] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 169 Over three hundred bird and mammal skins, twelve hundred butterflies, a few beetles, all the game and fish we could eat, hearty out-door life and pure air we had enjoyed for more than seven weeks, and a closer contact with nature than had ever fallen to our lot, and all for a reasonable expenditure of money. Our appetites were enormous, our health good, and moreover there is nothing equal 10 the pleasure of getting home and living in a house once more. As our friends had said, " The memories of that trip will always be with us and we have little to regret. ' ' May all who hear this crude account some day, sometime, have an equally enjoyable trip. A New Device. Useful for taking Moths from Tree Trunks, Fences, etc., or from the Ground without using the Net. By F. A. MKRRICK, New Brighton, Pa. a. A pint Mason fruit jar. b. Clamp for holding jar. c. Threaded spud to fit net handle. d. Thumbscrew to clamp jar firmly. e. Metal screw top of Mason jar. f. Opening cut through lid full size of jar opening. g. Stop to prevent slide pulling out of frame. h. Frame soldered to top of lid. i. Slide door to close jar when insect is in. j. Rubber band (Y2 in. o. o. o.) spring to close slide. k. Pin soldered to lid to hold end of spring. /. Pin (bent wire nail) soldered to slide door to hold other end of rubber band. m String for opening slide door. The above cut shows very clearly an arrangement for an au- tomatic closing lid for cyanide jar, also clamp for attaching jar to net handle. As I use the pint Mason jar exclusively for my cyanide jar, and use the M. Abbot Fraser net frame and jointed handle, 1, of course, made it to suit these things — but a socket in place of threaded bolt at " C " would receive any cane or stick of any kind, and in place of the screw lid for a Mason e I iyO ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, jar the frame and slide door can be soldered to any tin lid to slip tiglitly over or into any kind of a jar, so that any collector, by slight modifications, can adapt it to his favorite jar and net handle. To use this device I simply remove the net from the handle and replace it with the clamp " b," insert one of my cyanide bottles and clamp it tightly by turning thumbscrew " d," then put on my lid and it is ready for use. Holding my net handle close tq the end with my right hand, with my left I pull the string until the slide door is wride open ; (the stop " g ' pre- vents it being pulled entirely out of the slide); then I slip the string between the first finger of the right hand, and, the net handle pressing firmly on it, this holds the trap open until I have placed the mouth of the jar over his "mothship," and as soon as he flies out into the jar release the string and the lid will slide up and imprison him. I used this with the most gratifying results last summer, not only on those that were too high to reach with bottle in hand, for which I had designed it, but equally desirable for those near the ground or on the ground, as, being enabled to remain several feet from them, I had no trouble in capturing the most wary, even in the hottest days. For Catocalse I consider it invaluable, and extremely desirable for all Heterocera. Should any of the readers of this have any difficulty in get- ting one made from this cut and description I shall be glad to give any further details on application, only please do not ask me to make them for you, as bugs are here and I am busy. A tinner can make you one. On a Small Collection of Butterflies made in Cali- fornia and Arizona. By HENRY SKINNER, M.D. Prof. L,evi W. Mengel of Reading, Penna. , very kindly sub- mitted to me for study a small collection of butterflies made by the late Mr. Irvin Runyeon of Reading. Mr. Runyeon made a wagon journey from Redlands, California, eastward into> Arizona. His brother, Mr. George Runyeon, gives the fol- ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. IJI lowing as the route : ' ' He started from Redlands and went directly eastward through the passes of the San Bernardino Mountains ; then still eastward through the Mohave Desert to the counties on the extremity of Arizona. He did not go further north than Bill William's Fork River, nor further south than La Paz.* He went about one hundred miles toward the interior and returned almost the same general way." When I saw this collection I could hardly believe it was made in the United States, as there were so many species new to our list. I do not know how much of an effort Mr. Runyeoii made to get Lepidoptera, but do not imagine he worked very hard at collecting as he was an invalid and only collected through his friendship for Prof. Mengel. This list shows what we may expect in the future, and proves that many more species will be added fron the south- west when the country is carefully collected. No large butter- flies were taken, but there were two or three species of common Lycsenidae in poor condition. LIST. Eudamus simplicius Stoll. eurycles Latr. doranles Stoll. zilpha Bull. a/c&us Hew. " hippa/us Edw. Heliopetes laviana Hew. Hespcria syrichtus Fabr. Chiomara asychis Cr. Thanaos tristis Boisd. funeralis Scud. -Burg. Butleria microsticta ? Godm.-Salv. Heteropia melon Godm. and Salv. Ancyloxypha arene Edw. Erycidcs amyntas Fabr. Telegonus liahneli Stand. Timochares ruptifasciatus Plotz. Pamphila phylfpus Dm. druryi Latr. eufala Edw. Staphylus brennus Mab. nemorum Bd. Pholisora catullus Fabr. Out of these twenty-three species, eleven are new to our fauna of America north of Mexico. An expert collector could probably make a remarkable catch in this region. * "La Paz is a small town near the western border of Arizona and near the Colorado River. It is almost midway between the Gila and Bill William's Fork Rivers. MK. A. G. WEEKS, JR., of Boston, Mass., will describe over eighty new butterflies collected by Mr. W. J. Gerhard in Bolivia. They will be pub- lished in various journals and figured by Mr. Weeks. 172 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, A New Ascalaphid from the United States. By NATHAN BANKS. Our Ascalaphid fauna is not very large at present. There are three species of Ptyn.v from the extreme southern parts, one Colboptcrus, and two species of Ulnla ; to this last genus I now add a third. No species are at present known from Califor- nia, so it is quite probable that a few more species will be added to our meagre list. The new species comes from Arizona, and is closely related \.o Ulula hyalina, but distinct by a number of minor characters. Ulula albifrons n. sp. Clypeus and mouth parts yellowish ; head clothed with white hair, with which some gray is mixed. Antennae brown, each joint narrowly tipped with pale ; club pale brown, paler on tip, in length the antennae reach only to the tip of abdomen. Thorax brown, mostly with white hair be- low, some brown hair above, especially each side of the metascutellum ; on each anterior lobe of the thorax there is a pale yellowish spot, a median pale spot on mesoscutellum, and another on the metascutellum. Legs brownish, paler at knees. Abdomen brown, mottled with paler brown, and with black ; last segment partly yellowish above. Wings hyaline, pterostigma dark brown ; venation black, except the costal margin near base, which is yellowish ; ten to twelve cross-veinlets between radial sector and radius before the pterostigma. Length 20 mm.; expanse 50 mm. Three specimens from Phoenix, Arizona, (Kunze). The dif- ference between this and the allied. U. hyalina may be gleaned from the following table of our three species of Ulula : 1. Pterostigma yellow, on hind wings several dark clouds near tip. U. zuadripunctata. Pterostigma dark brown, sometimes one dark cloud in hind wings near tip . 2. 2. Front with white hair, antennae annulate, reaching to tip of abdomen, venation black, 10 to 12 cross-veins between radius and radial sector, smaller species . U. albifrons. Front with dark hair, antennae not annulate, reaching beyond end of abdomen, venation partly light brown, 15 to 17 cross-veinlets between radius and radial sector, larger species . U hyalina. Anthocharis genutia has been quite plentiful this spring in New Jersey. Mr. Witmer Stone took it at Meford ; Messrs. Viererk and Rehn at River- ton ; Mr. Erich Daecke at Clementon ; Dr. Skinner and Mr. Thomas at Westville, and Mr. W. G. Freedley at Crosswicks. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 173 Letters from Thomas Say to John F. Melsheimer, 18 16- 1825.— IV. Philac!* April 27th 1817. Dear Sir I thank you cordially for the box of Insects you last sent me, they came to hand in the most perfect good order, not a pin was loosed, nor a member broken ; some of them I had not in my collection, particularly the Aradus ; but what is more important to me is that the insects you send me en- ables me to identify those of my cabinet with the names in your catalogue, all these names I shall preserve as far as I know them unless the insects to which they are adapted have been described by others under other names in this case the name of the described insect must be of course retained be- cause it is already established & known to entomologists — & unless also your name is applied by other writers, to another insect of the same Genus, in this case too, the name must be changed to avoid confusion — I am very anxious that the vanity that induces many naturalists to change specific names un- necessarily, should be discountenanced, as I am convinced it will be, by every true friend to the interesting science we pursue ; for besides introducing much confusion & adding exceedingly to the labour of the study, it is undoubtedly rob- bing the first describer of his just rights, If the thing is done through ignorance, it is another matter, & the innovator shall then be held guiltless, provided he exerted himself to obtain better information.— Some of the Insects you sent me I had already described under names of my own these names I was very happy to reject, in favour of those of your catalogue to which your numbers referred me— The Elater Noctilucus emits a permanent light so vivid that I could make out to read large letter • press alone — Olivier 's figure of this Insect represents it of the same size as ours, that of Phosphoreus about the size of your female Atcrrimus— Herbst's figure of Phosphoreus is much larger than that of Olivier & represents it in length about an inch 6c a quarter & more than proportionally broad, he says in his description that 174 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, from its magnitude he would have taken it for the Noctilncus, if De Geer had not given as a distinctive & differential charac- ter of the two species, that in Phosphoreus the thoracic spots are visible beneath, a circumstance which combined with its magnitude & " Personne au surplus n'a remarque une dent mousse au milieu du bord inferior du corcelet' ' will not permit us to consider them as the same, untill we know more about them — According to Humbolt & Bonpland the larva of E. Noctilucus feeds in the Sugar cane — Latreille also considers them as distinct— The Gymnopleure I sent you under the name of Indicus is perhaps the Leei of Fabricius — the insect figured & described by Oliver, which he calls Fnlgidus is certainly very similar to it, Fab : says it is only a variety It also strongly resembles the sinuatus, fig? by Oliv : but indeed I am not certain of the in- sect at all it may be Sinuatus at last— The two insects Nemestrinus £ Pithecius in the descriptions given to us of them, bear to each other a strong resemblance. Turton says of both species that the ' ' Elytra are striated ' ' if this be true our insect cannot be either as its elytra, are not properly speaking, striated, as the lines are not at all im- pressed & but just visible, but this character Fab : omits — For Nemestrinus, Fab : refers to Herbst : Arch : t 43 f i — This work I have, edited by Fuessly and translated into the French language, his figure is certainly not that of our species for be- sides many other differences the elytra are represented as strongly & very obviously striated, the thoracic horns also are very different they are placed nearer together & point more horizontally forward, Herbst observes that it is covered be- neath £ on the feet with red hair — But upon reference to Oli- vier's fig: & descr (This noble work I have access to through the kindness of a friend) I was at once convinced to a cer- tainty that the Ins : I sent you as Pitheciiis is the Molossns— The color of Pithecius is ferruginous & it is much less than our Insect : & Oliv? fig. of Nemestrinus agrees perfectly with Herbst' s — Olivier says of Molossus that at the base of the horn of the head on each side is an elevated line ' ' L,e corcelet est IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 175 coupe anterieurment et muni d'une petite cornu dessous de la corne il y a un petit enfoncement. " I also referred to Drury's fig : (Exotic Ins :) which I found much better & more obviously characteristic than that of Olivier — The Ins: I sent you as Mo- lossus comes nearest to Olivier 's fig & description of S. Buceph- alus & so I have named it in my collection. As to the large Buprestis, specimens of which you sent me with the supposition of its being the B. Mariana, I cannot posi- tively say what species it is referable to, but it is probable I think that it is no other than the Mariana — Fabricius, S)rst. Eleut. says it inhabits ' ' Europa boreali ' ' he refers to Drury Vol i t 30 & to Herbst : Arch : t 28 f. 4 — these two figures differ very much from each other, the latter was designed from the European specimen, & the former from a specimen capt- ured in Virginia, & very probably the difference observable be- tween the two figures, is owing to the little care taken in the drawing or engraving — In Turton's L,in : an insect is de- scribed under the name Virginica which is doubtless intended for the insect in question, he refers to this same fig. of Drury before mentioned — Fab. Syst. Eleut, omits this specific name (Virginica) no doubt judging it to be the same precisely with the European Mariana — Turton says of Mariana that it In- habits New Holland & does not give it as an European Insect at all — Olivier on the other hand says it inhabits in all Europe & also in America — So that you will see that the thing is not settled — Paykull. Faun. Suec. gives a description somewhat in detail, agreeing very well with our insect — I have not access to Petiver's Gazoph but that work is not quoted in the Syst : Eleut : under the species Mariana — The sinus in the terminal abdominal segment of the male is indeed remarkably conspicu- ous, the same conformation occurs though less obviously in some other Insects the only ones which at present occur to me as exhibiting the truth of this remark are the Cicindelse, in some of the males of which, this structure is perceptible, tS: the tail of the females in many instances is canaliculated in a simi- lar manner — The specimen you allude to marked />. I should suppose is but a variety it is however of a larger size & less 176 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, brilliant colour, if they are of frequent occurrence some distin- guishing character may perhaps be established— I am going on with my descriptions of our American Insects, this will be a work totally distinct from my ' ' American Ento- mology ' ' this last I hope soon to issue the first number of, which has been delayed by unforseen obstacles, which are now completely removed — I find a great many ins : for which I can- not refer to your catalogue, not having received the species of you ; & many which are not contained in the catalogue ; all these of course I have to name, I mean such as I have not been described ; as for instance, I have thirteen species of the Genus Cicindela, there are only seven in your catalogue & of these but five whose names I can preserve the other two, not having received from you I have perhaps described under some other name ; & so of others. I should be very happy to receive from you any insects of your catalogue, that I have not had, & for these I should ex- pect to remunerate you— Of the two species of Langnria you sent me one is the Tro- gosita bicolor of Fabricius & and the other L. mozardi of L,a- treille. I have found two new genera & perhaps three — one of which I have named & the second the first is remarkable for its large mentum, the anten : are moniliform & the thorax has three raised lines &c — the is a small insect, one sex of which has two spines upon its very large palpi & the elytra are abbreviated — you shall hear more about them— I send you descriptions of some of our fresh water & land 1 It is to be inferred from this that Say intended to publish these de- scriptions on lines similar to those of his American Entomology, which intention was, however, not consummated These "descriptions," if of new species, probably appeared in the many articles contributed by Say to the various journals then existing. It is more likely that they were descriptions of known as well as new forms, and were never published.— W. J. F. 2 These proposed genera were probably never published by Say, as they are omitted from Scudder's Nomenclator. It is therefore thought advisable not to include the names here. — W. J. F. IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 177 shells, these I made out for an Encyclopedia publishing here Ov fo which I have undertaken the department of Natural History —since these \vere published I have found several new species —(It is a small pamphlet & will be sent by the same mail with this letter) Mr. Le Seueur, the celebrated friend of Peron, a French naturalist no doubt well known by character to you, is about to publish an elegant work on the American Fish, he does every thing himself, draws, engraves, prints & colours, so that it will be got out with the least possible expense, he has already engraved eight plates for it ; he intends to have it of the same size as mine 3- -Prof . Barton, nephew of the late Prof. B. S. Barton intends to publish' a work on the plants of North America with coloured plates,— "A general System of Nature through the three grand king- doms of Animals, vegetables & minerals" &c "translated from Gmelin's last Edition of the celebrated Systema Naturae by Sir Charles L/inne — amended & enlarged by the improvements & discoveries of later naturalists & societies with appropriate Copperplates by William Turton, M.D." it is in Six volumes octavo & the last set which has been recc.' from England was imported by a friend of mine for his own use, it cost him five Dollars each volume it is a work of little repute in England, & rarely quoted by Entomologists The ' ' Transactions of L/in- naean Society of London ' ' are now in Eleven volumes — One volume is published each year & costs about one hundred dol- lars for the whole Eleven volumes I would thank you to let me know of any European Works in which an}- of our American Insects are described I am de- termined to get them all if possible for I cannot well do with- out them. I would be liable to describe as new, Insects well known & and long since described in Europe With the highest respect I remain your most Obdt Servt Thomas Say ;t This intended work does not seem to have been published, as it is omitted from bibliography — W. J. F. 178 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, Contributions to the Odonata of Maine. — IV. By (the late) F. L,. HARVEY, Orono, Me.* (Continued from ENT. NEWS., Vol. IX, Nos. 3 and 4, 1898). Species in this article reported for the first time by me are numbered from 67 to 82. Those below 67 refer to species first reported in ENT. NEWS, Vol. II, Nos. 3 and 4, 1891 ; Vol. Ill, Nos. 4 and 5, 1892, and Vol. IX, Nos. 3 and 4, 1898. Four- teen species new to Penobscot water are recorded, making the species known to occur in the Penobscot Valley 82. The num- ber of species known to the writer to occur in Maine is 93. We have added full descriptions of some of the rarer species, think- ing they will be acceptable to entomologists. We have taken pains to give exact data, recording localities for rare species so that in the future others may know where to look for them. The remarkable finds are Enallagma gcminatum, Ophiogom- plnis carolus, the females of Ophiogomphus anomalus and an abundance of males ; Ophiogomphus aspcrns, Ophiogomphus johannus, an abundance of the males of Gompluts scuddcri ; Neurocordulia Yamaskanensis and Somatochlora septentrionalis new to the United States ; Cclithemis ornata taken inland, and Lnicorhinia frigida and glacialis, both rare species. Subfamily CALOPTERYGIN^E. i. Calopteryx maculata Beauv. A single male on Russell Stream, N. E. Carry, August 27th, 1899 (Harvey). 54. Hetaerina americana Fabr. A single male along a swift flowing brook, July, 1898, Au- burn (E. D. Merrill) ; many of both sexes, 1898, Winslow (C. F. Hitchings) ; Chemo Mills, Sept. 13, 1899 (Harvey). Prof. Hitchings has reared this species and has the nymphs. Our specimens were taken from rocks in swift water. * The last letter from Prof. Harvey received by me, written a very few days before his death, accompanied the manuscript of this article, and contained this request : " Please make the best you can of this for me." I have carefully compared the various sheets sent to me, some being in duplicate— with the present result. A few supplementary notes of my own are enclosed in square brackets []. — P. P. Calvert. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 179 Subfamily AGRIONIN^E 60. Lestes congener Hagen. Orono, Me., July 29, 1899 (Harvey). Over small pond in pasture. Abundant. 3. Argia violacea Hagen. Chemo Stream, Sept. 13, 1899 (Harvey). Several speci- mens seen. A very late date for this region. 58. Erythromma conditum Hagen. A single male taken at Vinal Brook, Orono, Me., July 3, 1899, has the abdomen full}- 30 mm. long. This specimen has on the dorsum of the abdominal segments 8 and 9 a narrow median black line, which extends on 8 about seven-eighths the length, and on 9 about two- thirds the length; also on 8 and 9 on each side of these median lines, near the end, is a small round dot. These markings are not mentioned in descriptions of this species and should be recorded. We have not examined a large series and these marks may be normal. The books say ' 8 and 9 blue. ' 8. Enallagma hageni Walsh. The coloration of this species is quite variable. Specimens taken at the same locality and the same dates, and having un- doubted appendages of this species, varied as follows in the color of the abdomen: (a) Apical fourth of 3-5, more than half of 6, whole of 7 and 10, black, (b) Apical third of 3, half of 4, two-thirds of 5, the whole of 6-7 and 10, and a pro- ximal dot on each side of 8, black, (c) Apical fourth of 3-4, third of 5, three- fourths of 6, whole of 7 and 10, and a longi- tudinal stripe on either side of distal half of 8, black. (d) Apical fourth of 3-4, one-third of 5, three- fourths of 6, whole of 7 and ro, and a longitudinal stripe on each side of the whole length of 8, black ; the stripes are connected by an apical ring, their proximal ends show a tendency to be connected, being extended transversely, and there is a median dorsal dot between the extensions, (e) Another specimen lacks the dorsal dot and apical ring. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfully receive items of news likely to interest' its readers from any source. The author's name will be given in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.] To Contributors. — All contributions will be considered and passed upon at our earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep- tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer- ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num- ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five "extras," without change in form, will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged. — ED. PHILADELPHIA, PA., JUNE, 1901. We publish this month some letters received in regard to the shipping of insects, because we believe they will have a good effect and call attention to the great carelessness of American entomologists in regard to entomological technic. .It is true that we will always have the careless and slipshod collector as well as those that are careful and neat ; but the careless can learn and improve, and the average condition of collections may be raised to a higher standard. To be personal in illus- tration, we wish that all Coleopterists could see the collection of Mr. H. W. Wenzel of Philadelphia, and all L/epidopterists the collection of Dr. Strecker of Reading. Many persons, how- ever, do excellent work in entomology who have not the time to look after details. We wish to call attention to the valuable address of the President of the Entomological Society of London.* Is is full of strong, common-sense points in regard to de- scriptions, types, orthography, etc., and should be of interest to all entomologists. I RAISED Thecla martealis this season from full grown larvse at Miami, Florida. The food plant was a tropical shrub Trenia micraniha, the larva a dull green with no markings, the whole upper surface covered thickly with short bristle-like hairs of pure white, giving the larva a frosted appearance. — ANNIE TRUMBULL, SLOSSON. * Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., pt. v. 1900. 1 80 IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. l8l Entomological Literature. COMPILED BY P. P. CALVERT. Under the above head it is intended to mention papers received at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia pertaining to the Entomology of the Americas ( North and South). Articles irrelevant to American entomology will not be noted. Contribu- tions to the anatomy, physiology and embryology of insects, however, relating to Ameri- can or exotic species, will be recorded. The numbers in HEAVY-FACED TYPE refer to the journals, as numbered in the following list, in which the papers are published ; * denotes that the paper in quest ion contains descriptions of new North American forms. Titles of all articles in foreign languages are translated into English; usually such articles are written in the same language as th^ title of the journal containing them, but when such articles are in other languages than English, French, German or Italian, this fact is indicated in brackets. 2. Transactions of the American Entomological Society, xxvii, Phila- delphia, May, '01. — 4. The Canadian Entomologist, London, Ont., May, '01. — 5. Psyche, Cambridge, Mass., May, '01. — G Journal of the New York Entomological Society, March, '01, Rec'd. April 29. — 9. The En- tomologist, London, May, '01. — 11. The Annals and Magazine of Nat- ural History, London, '01. — 12. Comptes Rendus. L'Academie des Sciences, Paris, '01. — 21. The Entomologist's Record, London, April 15, 'or.— 22, Zoologischer Anzeiger, Leipsic, April, 15, '01. — 35. Annales, Socie"te" Entomologique de Belgique, xlv, 4, Brussels, April 30, 'or. — 3(5T. Transactions, 3(>P. Proceedings, Entomological Society of London. — 45. Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift, 1900, heft ii, Ber- lin, Feb., "or. — 46. Tijdschrift voor Entomologie, xliii, 3-4, The Hague, April 5, '01. — 5O. Proceedings, United States National Museum, Wash- ington, '01. — 54. Journal, Royal Horticultural Society, xxv, 3, London, April, '01. — 74. Naturwissenschaftliche Wochenschrift, Berlin, 'or.— 79. — La Nature, Paris, '01. — 93. Rendiconti, Reale Accademia dei Lincei, Rome, April 21, 'or.— 14G. The Entomological Student, Phila- delphia, May 15, 'or. THE GENERAL SUBJECT.— Bohn, G. L'Evolution du pig- ment, Scientia. Biologic No. ir, Febr., 'or. [Paris ?]. — Bramlicourt, V. Insects : resistance to death by decapitation or submersion, 79, May 4. — v. Dallu Torre, C. W. [Literature on] Relations between plants and animals, fertilization, injuries to the plant world by animals, etc., for 1898, Just's Botanischer Jahresbericht, xxvi, ii, 3, Leipsic, '01.— l>e\vitz, J. Prevention of pupation in insect larvag, fig., Archiv fiir Entwickelungsmechanik der Organismen, xi, 3-4, Leipsic, April 12, '01. — Elwes, H. J. Obituary notice of the late Dr. Otto Staudinger, 3<>F, 1900, pt. v, April 19, 'or. — Verrall, G. H. The President's address (descriptions and types, orthography in entomology), 36P, ibid. ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.— Aiioii.— The malaria expedi- tion to Nigeria, Science, New York, April rg, '01. — Banks, N. Bibli- ography of the more important contributions to American Economic Entomology. Part vii. The more important writings published between Dec. 3r, 1896, and Jan. i, 1900. U. S. Dep't. of Agriculture, Division of 182 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, Entomology, Washington, '01. 100 pp. + 13 pp., index. — Billotte. Phylloxera in Lorraine, Memoires, 1'Academie de Metz, cxxxix annee, 1898-99. 1900. — Bordage, E. On some [insect] parasites of the coffee- tree in Reunion, Bulletin, Socie"te Nationale d'Acclimatation de France, Paris, Mar., '01. — Femald, C. H.. and U. T. Report of the entomo- logists, i3th Annual Report Hatch Exper. Sta., Massachusetts Agric. College, Boston, Jan., 'or. — Brittoii, W. E. Experience with hydro- cyanic acid gas in barn and greenhouse, On the banding of trees to pre- vent the fall cankerworm, Miscellaneous notes on insects and insecticides, and with Jenkins, E. H., The protection of shade trees, figs., 9 pis. Report, Connecticut Agric. Exper. Station for the year ending Oct. 31, 1900, pt. iii. [Date and place of publication not given]. — Cartaz, A. Trombidiosis, 79, April 6. — Cousins, H. H. Fumigation with hydro- cyanic acid gas, 54. — Felt, E. P. i6th Report of the state entomolo- gist on injurious and other insects of the State of New York, 16 pis. Bul- letin 36, New York State Museum, Albany, Mar., '01 ; Illustrated de- scriptive catalogue of some of the more important injurious and benefi- cial insects of New York State, Bulletin 37 of same, Sept , 'oo. — Fockeu, H. The Potentillas, their vegetable and animal parasites, their galls, Revue Generale de Botanique, Paris, April 15, '01. — Gillette, C. P. Apiary experiments, 6 pis., Bulletin 54, Agric. Exper. Station, Agric. College of Colorado, Fort Collins, Colo., May, 'oo. Rec'd. May, '01.— Hollrimg1, M. Jahresbericht iiber die Neuerungen und Leistungen auf dem Gebiete des Pflanzenschutzes Zweiter Band : Das Jahr 1899, Berlin. Paul Parey, 1900. — Laveraii. Anopheles and its role in the propaga- tion of paludism, Comptes Rendus, Societe de Biologic, Paris, April 20, '01. — Newstead, K. The currant bud-mite or currant gall-mite (Phy- toptus ribis Westw.), figs., 54. — Noe, G. Propagation of blood filariae solely by the puncture of mosquitos (3rd preliminary note), 93.— Kog'- ers, L. The transmission of the Trypanosoma Evansi by horse flies, and other experiments pointing to the probable identity of Surra of India and Nagana or tsetsefly disease of Africa, Proceedings, Royal Society, London, No. 444, May 4, '01. — Sajo, K. Weevils injurious to rye, Zeitschrift fiir Pflanzen-krankheiten, xi, i, Stuttgart, March 16, '01 — San- derson, E. 1>. Report of the Entomologist, many figs. Twelfth Annual Report, Delaware College Agric. Exper. Station for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1900. Newark, Del., '01. — Smith, J. B. Report of the Entomological Department of the New Jersey Agric. College Ex- per. Station for the year 1900, figs. Somerville, N. J. 1901. (N. J. Agr. Coll. Exper. Sta. Rep., pp. 477-572).— Stephens, J. W. W., and Christophers, S. K. [The proposed site for European residences in the Freetown Hills, etc.] ; Daniels, C. W. Observations on the Ano- pheles of British Central Africa during dry season ; Distribution and breeding grounds of Anopheles in British Central Africa ; Development of "crescents" in ''small dark" Anopheles, Reports to the Malaria Com- mittee of the Royal Society, fifth series, London, April 22, '01. — Wileox, ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 183 E. V. Abstracts of recent papers, Experiment Station Record, xii, 9 (U. S. Dep't. of Agriculture), Washington, '01. ARACHNIDA. — Banks, N. Some spiders and other Arachnida from Southern Arizona,* oO, No. 1223. — Cambridge, F. O. P. On a collection of spiders from the Bahama Islands made byj. L. Bonhote, Esq. ; with characters of a new genus and species of Mygalomorpha;,* i pi., 11, April.— Krtepelin, K. Palpigradi and Solifuga?, nS figs., Das Thierreich, Lieferung 12, Berlin, Feb., '01. — Piersig, R. Remarks on the genus Arrhenurus Duges, 22.— Simon, E. Descriptions of new Arachnids of the family Attidse, 35. — Wagner, W. A. The aquatic spider Argyroneta aquatica, its industry and its life : material for comparative psychology, figs., i pi. [In Russian, French summary], Bulletin, Socie"te Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou, 1900, Nos. i and 2. MYKIOPODA. — Ludwig, F. Phosphorescent myriopods and the luminous rotting of wood, Centralblatt fiir Bakteriologie, Jena, April 12, '01. — Nemek, B. On the phylogeny of some Diplopod families, 22.— Rossi, G. On the subintestinal nervous system of Myriopods, figs., 9ii. ORTHOPTEKA.— Hartliiie, D. S. A plague of walking sticks [Diaphomera femorata}, fig., Popular Science News, New York, April, '01. — Morse, A. P. New North American Orthoptera,* 4; Variation in Tridactylus, figs., 5. — Petrimkewitscli, A., and voii Guaita, G. On sexual dimorphism in the sound-producing apparatus of Orthop- tera, 4 pis. Zoologische Jahrbiicher, Abtheilung fur Systematik, xiv, 4, Jena, Mar. 18, '01. — Relin, J. A. G. Remarks on some Mexican Orthoptera, with descriptions of new species, * 2. NEUROPTERA.— Imhof, O. E. Antennas of Odonata, Biolo- gisches Centralblatt, Erlangen, Apr. 15, '01. — Williamson, E. B. The subgenus Stylurus Needham : Selys' groups vi and vii of the genus Gom- phus (Odonata), and on the postanal cells in the latter, 2 pis., 2. HEMIPTERA.— Caudell, A. N. The genus Sinea of Amyot and Serville,* 2 pis., 6. — Cockerell, T. D. A. Contributions from the New Mexico Biological Station : xi, new and little known insects from New Mexico* [Coccidae, Hymenoptera], 11, April ; The coccid genus Saissetia* 146. — Coutiere, H., and Martin, J. On a new sub- family of marine Hemiptera, the Hermatobatinse, 12, April 29. — Dis- tant, W. L. Rhynchotal notes, ix, Heteroptera, fam. Coreidae,* 11, May. — Haiiseii, H. J. On the morphology and classification of the auchennorrhynchous Homoptera, 9. — King, G. B. Two new species of Pulvinaria* 4; Pulvinaria innumerabilis Rathv., 5. — Porta, A. The secretion of foam in Aphrophora, critical note, Monitore Zoologico Italiano, Florence, Mar., '01. — Reed, E. C. Synopsis of the Hemiptera of Chile (cont.), Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, Valparaiso, Feb., Mar., 'or. — Schoutedeii, H. The genus Siphonophora C. Koch, 15,5. CO LEOPTERA.— Arrow, G. J. Remarks on secondary sexual differences in Rutelid Coleoptera, with descriptions of some new forms, figs., 11, May.— Champion, G. C-, and Chapman, T. A. Observa- 184 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, tions on some species of Orina, a genus of viviparous and ovo-viviparous beetles, 2 pis., 36T, 1901, pt. i, April 30. — Ehrmann, G. A. Notes on the discovery of Pinodytes hamiltonii Horn, 146. — Harris, E. B. Cicindelidas of Mt. Desert, Maine, 6. — Horn, W. Seven new Cicin- delidae, 45. — Jacoby, M. Descriptions of four new species of Disony- cha (Coleoptera Phytophaga, fam. Halticidae),* 9.— Lesne, P. Sexual variation in the males of certain Coleoptera, family Bostrichidae, periodic pcecilandry, 12, April i.— Oliaus, F. Revision of Parastasiidae, 45.— Schenkliiig, S. New American Cleridae,* 45. — Schwarz, O. New exotic Elateridae,* 45. — Weise, J, Correction of observations on the food of our Coccinellidas, 45 ; Two new Cassidinse, 45. DIPTERA.— Chagnon, G. Preliminary studies on the Syrphidse of the province of Quebec, Naturaliste Canadien, Chicoutimi, Quebec, April, '01.— Coquillett, D. W. New Diptera in the U. S. Nat. Mus.,* 5O, No. 1225 ; A systematic arrangement of the families of the Diptera, 5O, No. 1227. — Hough, G. de N. South American Muscidas in the collection of S. W. Williston, 2 pis., Bulletin, University of Kansas, i, 4, Lawrence, July, 'oo. — de Meijere, J. C. H. On the metamorphosis of Callomyia amcena Meig., i pi., 46. — Rothschild, N. C. Notes on Pulex cam's Curtis and P.felis Bouche, i pi., 21. LEPIDOPTERA.— Bacot, A. W. Larva; of Lasiocampa quer- cus and its varieties, etc., and of cross-pairings between these races, 21. Chapman, T. A. The cry of Acherontia atropos, 21.— Daecke, E. Notes on the habits of Thecla damon, 6. — Druce, H. Descriptions of some new species of Lepidoptera from East Africa and tropical America,* 11, May. — Dyar, H. G. Life histories of North American Geometridae, xxii, 5; Descriptions of some Pyralid larvae from southern Florida,* 6 ; An apparently new Tortricid from Florida,* 6, Note on the larvae of Arc- tia intermedia, 6. — Fernald, C. H. Marginal wing-bristles in Lepidop- tera, 9.— Fletcher, J., and Gibson, A. The life-history of the green- house leaf-tyer (Phlyctcznia ferrugalis Hbn.), 4. — Frings, C. Tem- perature experiments in the year 1900, Societas entomologica, Zurich- Hottingen, May i, '01. — Hampsoii, G. F. On some teratological specimens of Lepidoptera, Entomologists' Monthly Magazine, London, May, '01. — Moore, F. Lepidoptera Indica, pt. xlix, London, Lovell Reeve & Co., '01 ; Reed. April 16. [Vol. v, pp. 1-24, Nymphalinae, groups Melitaenina, Eurytelina. Pis. 379-384]. — de Niceville, L. Can- nibalism among caterpillars, 4. — Poling, O. C. Some recent work in the genus Cafoca/a* 4. — Prout, L. B. Sesiidae or /Egeriidae, 21. — Schaus, W. New species of Heterocera from tropical America, i*, 6. — Scudder, S. H. A courageous butterfly, (Eneis semidea, i pi., 5.— Seit'ert, O. Life-history of Platysenta videns, 6.— Smith, J. B. Types and synonymy, 4. — Siiellen, P. C. T. On Pyralidae [in Dutch], 3 pis., 46. — [Thomann, H.] Symbiosis between Lyccena argiis and Formica cinerea ; Insekten Borse, Leipsic, April n, 'ot. — Tntt, J. W. Migration and dispersal of insects : Lepidoptera, 21. IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 185 HY31ENOPTEKA.— Bignell, G. C. Inquiline Cynipidaj, shape of galls, 21..— Bradley, J. C. The Evaniidor of America north of Mexico, 146.— Cockerell, T. D. A. See Hemiptera.— Dahl, F. The life of the ants of the Bismarck Archipelago from personal observa- tions, comparatively presented, Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Mus- eum in Berlin, ii, i, '01. — l>ickel, F. The present standpoint of my development theory of the honey bee, 74, April 21.— Forel, A. Mexi- can ants collected by Prof. VV. M. Wheeler,* 35 ; Concerning the classi- fication of ants, 35.— Kieffer, J. J. Revision of the Eucoclinse (Hy- menopt. Cynipidae), Feuille des jeunes Naturalistes, Paris, May i, '01.— Liiidwig, N. On the orientation sense and the memory of bees, 74, April 7.— Mayr, G. The producer of Sodom's apples, Wiener Entomo- logische Zeitschrift, xx, iv, Apr. 25, 'or.— Morice, F. D., and Cocker- ell, T. D. A. The American bees of the genus Andrena described by F. Smith (cont. ),* 4.— Sladeii, F. W. L. A scent organ in the bee, the scent produced forms a means of communication between the mem- bers of a swarm or colony, figs., British Bee Journal, London, April n, 18, '01.— Smith, J. B. Notes on some digger bees, i, 6.— Thomaim, H. See Lepidoptera.— Titus, E. S. G. On some bees of the genus Augo- clilora* figs., 4. Notes and News. ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE. How FAR MAY A MOSQUITO TRAVEL? — While the subject of mosqui- toes is a popular one, perhaps a little note will not be amiss regarding one feature of them in this arid region. The country is too dry for mos- quito propagation, and, with an average of perhaps one light shower a year, only the scantiest and hardiest of vegetation can exist. The Colo- rado River is the nearest breeding place to our mining camp, and from it the mosquitoes occasionally find their way here between April and July, the time of greatest abundance. The nearest point on the river from here is twelve miles to the southeast, where our pumping station is located. Yuma, which is eight miles farther up the river, is twenty miles away. Farther north, the river makes a large bend to the east until it is forty miles away ; but, in the backward curve, it again comes within twenty-two miles, this time on the northeast of us. Winds that blow from the east and northeast are the ones that bring the mosquitoes — not an occasional one, but in numbers to worry the most stoical. A high wind brings very few if any, but a steady gentle breeze of two or three days' duration is the most prolific. The mosquitoes may scarcely arrive here before a breeze sets in from the opposite direction and starts them on the return trip, but are more likely to remain from a few days to 186 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, half a score before the counter wind drives them away. In the spring there is seldom a southeast wind (blowing from uur nearest point on the river), but when there is it brings the mosquitoes in abundance and sooner than from the northeast. The most of the mosquitoes here, then, must have traveled over a hot, dry, barren desert waste for at least 22 miles, and many of them probably considerable farther to reach any place even as inviting as this. How much farther into the desert they may journey can only be conjectured, but I have found them at least 4 miles beyond here. The genus Anopheles is probably not found along the Colorado. At least its attendant malaria is unknown to this region. — G. C. DAVIS, Ogilby, Cal. THE NEW MEXICO BIOLOGICAL STATION. — The Biological Station was founded as an independent institution at Mesilla in 1896. In 1899 it was moved to Las Vegas, and held a successful summer session in the New Mexico Normal University. A brief session was also held in 1900. The students in attendance have been mostly public school teachers. The re- sults of the research work have been published in the Annals and Maga- zine of Natural History. The Station will now be conducted as a part of the work of the biologi- cal department of the Normal University. The session of 1901 will com- mence on the first of June. A course in Nature Study will be offered to public school teachers, and opportunities will be afforded for research work along a number of different lines. Las Vegas offers excellent opportunities for biological work. The summer climate is very good, and at no time is the heat excessive, as it is at lower altitudes in New Mexico and other parts of the Southwest. The altitude is about 6400 ft., with mountains close by rising above n,ooo ft. Four distinct life-zones — the Upper Austral, the Transition, the Cana- dian and Hudsonian — can be studied within 35 miles of Las Vegas. It results from this, that the local fauna and flora are extremely rich in spe- cies ; in the Hudsonian Zone are forms of circumpolar distribution, and others ranging to Alaska, though not to Asia or Europe ; in the Canadian Zone we find types inentical with those of the mountains of the Northern States and of Colorado ; in the Transition a varied assemblage typical in part of the foothill region of the Rocky Mountain Range ; in the Upper Austral many species characteristic of the arid southwest, some ranging far southward and westward. With all this comes a certain percentage of local or endemic types, just how numerous further research must deter- mine. Such are the snail Ashnmnclla thomsoniana porterce and the mag- nificient butterfly Argynnis nitocris nigroctzrulea, both found in Sapello Canon. The Gallinas River, flowing through Las Vegas, contains a crawfish (Camburus gallinus), described as new last year, some interesting fishes (Leuciscus and Rhinichthys), and a variety of acquatic insects, algae, etc. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 187 The Hot Springs, six miles away, contain some peculiar organisms, which have not yet been sufficiently examined. In the Arroyo Pecos, and elsewhere in the immediate vicinity of the town, is an immense alluvial deposit of pleistocene age, containing in- numerable remains of mollusca and occasional mammalian fragments. Special facilities are offered to students of wild bees (Apoidea), the available collections and literature being very extensive. Facilities are also offered for the study of Coccidae and other groups of insects. Stu- dents should, if possible, bring their own microscopes, slides, forceps and other accessories. — For further information apply to T. D. A. COCKER- ELL, East Las Vegas, N. M. CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE N. M. BIOLOGICAL STATION. The following contributions have been published in Annals and Maga- zine of Natural History : 1. Descriptions of New Bees collected by Prof. C. H. T. Townsend in the State of Vera Cruz. By T. D. A. Cockerell. Oct., 1896. 2. On a Collection of Diptera from the Lowlands of the Rio Nautla in State of Vera Cruz. By C. H. T. Townsend. January, July, September, 1897. 3. The Bees of the Genus Colletes found in New Mexico. By T. D. A. Cockerell. January, 1897. 4. Diptera from the Sacramento and White Mountains in Southern New Mexico. By C. H. T. Townsend, February, 1897. 5. Some New Hymenoptera from the Mesilla Valley, New Mexico. By T. D. A Cockerell. April, 1897. 6. The New Mexico Bees of the Genus Heriades, and a New Halictus. By T. D. A. Cockerell. August, 1897. 7. Observations on Bees, with Descriptions of New Ganera and Species. By T. D. A. Cockerell and VVilmatte Porter. December, 1899. 8. The New Mexico Bees of the Genus Bombus. By T. D. A. Cocker- ell and Wilmatte Porter. November, 1899. 9. On Certain Genera of Bees. By T. D. A. Cockerell and W. P. Cock- erell. January, 1901. 10. Observations on Bees Collected at Las Vegas, New Mexico and in the Adjacent Mountains. By T. D. A. Cockerell. Jan., 1901. ANSWERS TO DR. SKINNER'S NOTE IN THE MAY NEWS, PAGE 158, IN REGARD TO SHIPPING INSECTS. 1. Pinning the insects in agave pith may corrode the ends of the pins and may cause, especially when the box has been a long time on its way, breaking of the pins and more or less destruction of the contents of the box 2. The inside box ought to be light, so as to put as little pressure as possible on the cotton that surrounds it ; the heavier the inside box, the 188 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, stronger and more jerky the vibrations of the box and the easier loosing of the needles. The amount of cotton put between the two boxes was far too much ; this quantity of cotton could not work as an elastic buffer between the outer and inner box. The contents of the box should have been written on the outer box, and also the address of the sender. I think that the contents of the box must have been badly damaged, especially if Lepicloptera or Diptera were in it. — DR. GEO. W. BOCK. I EXPECT the insects were damaged, because of too much cotton, jam- med in tight so that the inner box could not move. Under these circum- stances the insects would be liable to move, on the same principle as the second of two billiard balls in contact, the first being hit ; or the inner table of the skull, sometimes fractured by a blow, as by a spent bullet on the outer table. — T. D. A. COCKERELL. Replying to conundrums published on p. 158, vol. 12 of ENT. NEWS, I should think ist. "The condition of enclosed insects" would resemble what "we boys of the 6o's " called a " hishy hashy h — 1 fired stew," composed of salt pork, fresh beef, hard tack, white beans, green grapes, potatoes and any other ingredients we could lay our hands on — all stewed together. and. If any insects escaped injury, it must have been through lack of cotton. With a good heavy caulking chisel and a sledge I believe more than six ounces could have been forced into the space between the boxes. The outer box should be strongly nailed before beginning to caulk, and care should be exercised not to jar the insects with the sledge while caulking, as the antennae are very fragile and easily jarred off. Perhaps molten lead poured in to fill the space between the boxes would give the whole thing a rigidity that could not be obtained with cot- ton, however well packed. I have never tried it, but imagine it might give better results ; only I have not yet decided how to unpack it, without jarring it too much ; possibly it could be melted off. I imagine that box must have been sent you by the man who "shoots" Catocala, under the impression that specimens who can survive shooting are safe under any conditions. Of the many hundreds of specimens I exchanged this winter expanded, via. express, not one specimen was destroyed. I use pasteboard boxes, packed in 5 ct. wooden basket, with excelsior, loo to 150 specimens packed ready for shipment weighing 2 Ibs. — F. A. MERRICK. THE insects were damaged, as six specimens were rolling around in the box and playing ten pins with the others, and bowling off antennae, legs, etc. If pith is used to line boxes, the boxes should be just deep enough to prevent the point of the pin from ascending to the surface of the pith. The express company in this particular case did not know but IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 189 what the box contained pig iron or bars of lead. If the outer box is strong there is no necessity for having the inner box very heavy. We often get boxes here that show that the senders think that the more cot- ton or excelsior they use between the boxes the greater their safety, and if they had a steam hammer handy they would doubtless use that to get more in. Very few people in this country seem to understand how to properly pack insects for transportation. Our experience here has been a sad one when we have loaned specimens for study. Our collection of Sesiidce was destroyed in this way. — HENRY SKINNER. Doings of Societies. A regular stated meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social was held May i5th, at the residence of Mr. H. \V. \Vcn/.el, 1523 South 1 3th Street. President Mr. Charles W. Johnson in the chair. Professor Smith again spoke about the mosquitoes which he had previously mentioned and stated the following new facts : All the specimens from the pitcher plants were sEdcs instead of Culex as he first thought, and therefore all of the preceding observations should be referred to sEdes. The two species which he raised from his pitcher plants were /Ecdesfuscus and A. sapphirinus. These are both new to New Jersey and have only been found in the pitcher plants. He spoke of the larvae of an sEdcs wrhich he examined, which had two anal flaps showing a complete network of tracheae and which up to the last stage were used in breathing. These larvae are able to stay under water some time if the water is clear, but if it is foul or muddy they must come to the top frequently, and if the water becomes too foul the larvae die. He also spoke of another lot of mosquito larvae he had received, which are only found in spring holes. This one is different in all stages from sEdcs, and he thought that they must have passed the winter in the larva state. They are very lively, going to the bottom at the least sign or shadow, this being a protection for them, as they are yellow ; and when the)" go to the bottom it is difficult to distinguish them from the mud which is there. They also have to protect themselves from the larva of many other insects which are found in these spring holes, while the larvae of . I-'-des are protected by the pitcher plants in which very few 190 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, insects are found. Out of about sixty specimens of SEdcs he did not think he had a single male unless they resemble the females very closely. He spoke about the different resting positions of mosquitoes, and stated that it was different in each genus, and also noted that the spines on the larvae were different in each genus, and they might be used as a means of classification. He said it would be a good thing for entomologists to take note of the in- sects found in pitcher plants, so that some knowledge could be had of the inhabitants. He spoke of the lepidopterous larva which spins a web, which is so perfectly water proof that it prevents any water from getting in, and when the water dries up that is already there the larvae proceed to eat into the plant. Mr. Wenzel spoke again about the subaquatic Pselaphids mentioned at the last meeting. He said that down at Angle- sea, New7 Jersey, the tide has been very high, and the place where he had collected these before was covered with about a foot of water, but the next morning at low tide he went there and under a large log which he turned over found a large num- ber of Pselaphids which did not seem to be effected by the sub- mersion. Some of these were found in at least four inches of water. Mr. Johnson said this might account for the distribu- tion, as they could cling to logs under the water and be carried to different parts of the coast. Mr. Wenzel recorded Dromius atriccps taken at Anglesea, N. J., May 5, 1901, as a new species for New Jersey. He spoke about Cychrus elevatus which he had taken around Angelsea. The eleven specimens which were taken were unicolorous, while the inland species have a metallic lustre. Dr. Skinner stated that at Westville, New Jersey, May 5th, he found quite a number of specimens of Acmceodcra culta in which all the maculations were white, while those in the collec- tions he had examined were orange. Mr. Wenzel said he thought they most likely turn yellow7 within a short time after death. Mr. Wenzel also mentioned finding this species in the oak, and said that after reaching the adult stage the}7 are found on different plants and said this was the case in a num- ber of other species. 1901] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. Mr. Daecke spoke about a spider he had received which was running over the water, and while being chased it went under the water a number of times. He also showed a box of odd specimens which he had collected recently, and among which were some very good things, especially the following : Ncuro- cordulia uhlcri, a female of which he had taken at Millville, New Jersey, April 29th, and on May 5th had seen about twenty- five, eight of which he captured. The date of their appear- ance seems to run from April 2gth to May 5th. Only two specimens of this species were previously known. He recorded Tctragoncuria spinosa taken at Clementon, N. J., May 3rd, as new to New Jersey ; also Zabrotcs subnitens from Manumuskin, N. J., May 5th, which is a very rary species. WM. R. REINICK, Secretary. The fifteenth annual meeting of the Harris Club was held at 35 Court Street, Boston, on the evening of Friday, March i5th. Interesting exhibits of cocoons of different types were made by Messrs. Morse, Low and Hall. Devices for protecting collec- tions from the entrance of museum pests were discussed at length. Mr. Low showed an aberrant specimen of Attacus cccropia, in which the outer third of each wing is of a creamy buff, without the usual dark markings. The sixteenth regular meeting was held at the same place on Saturday, April i3th. Messrs. Low, Higbee and Newcomb displayed interesting series of variant Lepidoptera. Mr. Denton showed a folding net of new design. A committee was appointed to draw up a set of directions for mounting insects, in order to secure uniformity in the club collections. Above notes are taken from the records of A. P. Hall, tem- porary secretary. W. L. W. FIELD, Secretary. A meeting of the American Entomological Society was held April 25th, Dr. P. P. Calvert, President, in the chair. Four- teen persons present. Mr. Wenzel exhibited specimens of the wood of R/uis typhina ( staghorn sumach), and Khus radicans (poison ivy). These pieces of wood were infested with two species of ScoJytus. The species found in the staghorn sumach penetrates the bark and the pith, while the one in the poison ig2 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ivy infests the bark only. The species have not been deter- mined with certainty by the speaker. He also collected Dys- merus basalis Casey — was found in the poison ivy. This is the first record for this vicinity. Dr. Calvert said the genus Argia was, perhaps, the most difficult to study among the Odonata. It occurs in North and South America, but the headquarters is found in Tropical America. De Selys and Hagen in 1865 pub- lished a paper on the genus. They used in classification the modifications of the superior sector of the wing. The differ- ence in these sectors was illustrated by the speaker, who said he had a large amount of material for study and he found the characters laid down by De Selys and Hagen had failed entirely. The appendages were considered to be the only reliable charac- ters to use for classificatory purposes. The colors were also investigated and were thought to be of considerable value where large series were available for study. Mr. Wenzel spoke of the distribution of Pselaphidae and Scydmsenidse on Five- mile Beach, New Jersey. The difference between the dune fauna and the salt meadow was explained. The dunes make a line of demarcation between the faunae. Some species were found on logs submerged in water. HENRY SKINNER, M. D., Secretary. A regular stated meeting of the Newark Entomological So- ciety was held Sunday, April i4th, 3 p. in., at Turn Hall, fifteen persons being present, President Buchholtz in the chair. The members present voted to hold the next meeting in May, outdoors, and Paterson was the the place selected. Fcralia jocosa was reported as more plentiful than ever, the season being two weeks in advance of usual time. GEORGE STORTZ, Secretary pro tern. OBITUARY. Mr. T. G. Priddey died suddenly on April 25th at his home in Toronto, Canada. He was in his 56th year, and was a well-known collector of insects, particularly Lepidoptera. He had planned another collecting trip to South Florida this season. We regret to ann.ounce'the death of Prof. Otto Lugger, State Entomo- logist of Minnesota. ENT. NEWS, Vol. XII. PI. VII. AMERICAN PSYCHODID/E (KINCAID). ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. VOL. XII. ' SEPTEMBER, 1901. No. 7. CONTENTS: Kincaid— Notes on American Psycho- Coquillett— A New Anthomyid Injuri- didse 193 ous to Lupines 206 Harvey— Contributions to the Odonata Rehn— A New Species of Dichopetala 207 of Maine, IV (continued) 196 , Cockerell— A Peculiar New Type of Newcomb— A Trip to Montreal 198 Halictine Bees 208 Slosson — A Successful Failure 200 Editorial 210 Fox— Letters from Thomas Say to John Entomological Literature 211 F. Melsheimer, 1816-1825.— V 203 Notes and News 218 Newcomb— A New Chionobas from Doings ofSocieties 219 Maine... 206 Notes on American Psychodidae. BY TREVOR KINCAID, University of Washington. Psychoda alternata Say. This species is evidently quite widely distributed, as speci- mens have been received from Pullman, in the eastern part of Washington, where they were collected by Prof. C. V. Piper, and no doubt occur elsewhere on the Pacific coast, although none have yet been taken by the writer in Western Washing- ton. Psychoda superba Banks. Psychoda superba Banks. Canadian Entomologist, xxvi, p. 332 (1894). Originally described by Mr. Banks, from Long Island, N. Y. Specimens of this species have been obtained from Battle Creek, Mich., where they were collected by Prof. J. M. Aldrich. Psychoda cinerea Banks. Psychoda cinerea Banks. Canadian Entomologist, xxvi, p. 331 (1894). Psychoda pacifica Kincaid. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, viii, p. 143 (1897)- 7 194 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, An opportunity was recently afforded the writer to examine specimens of Psychoda cinerca, which were described by Mr. Banks, from Long Island, N. Y. In 1897 the writer described a psychodid from Washington as Psychoda padfica. At the time it was recognized that the latter was closely allied to cinerea, and careful comparison leads to the conclusion that the differential characters are not sufficiently stable to warrant its retention as a distinct species. It is evident that we have in this case an example of a very widespread and variable species, with a range extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from California to Alaska. A careful comparison of P. cinerea with the common European forms, P. phalaenoides L/inne and P. albipennis Zetterstedt, would be of interest, as although probably not identical with either of these the relationship is evidently quite close. Pericoma ocellaris Meigen. Some time since Dr. Hough sent the writer specimens of a psychodid collected by him in Maine. Since it differed from the described American forms, it was at first supposed to be new to science, but it was subsequently found to agree in all except a few superficial details with the European Pericoma ocellaris Meigeu. This latter species has several striking pecu- liarities, the most remarkable being certain secondary sexual characters. In the male the basal joint of the antenna is greatly elongated, forming nearly one-third the entire length of this organ, the second joint is large and globular, while the third joint bears near its apex an oval scar, from which arises a dense sinuous tuft of hair. In the female the basal joint is of more normal length and the tuft of hair is absent from the third joint. The principal difference between the American and European forms is in the arrangement of the hair patches upon the wings and other superficial details. Hence it has been decided to distinguish the American form as follows : Pericoma ocellaris var americana n. var. 9- Length 2 mm. — Body brown, clothed with brown hair, except upon the dorsal arc of the thorax, which bears a dense vestiture of long white hair. Wings ovate, more than twice as long as broad, apex bluntly IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. rounded and terminating close beneath the end of the first simple vein; anterior bifurcation a little nearer the base of the wing than the posterior one. Vestiture of wings brown, variegated with white as follows : A large patch near the base on the anterior margin, a sinuous hand cross- ing the wing from the end of the third longitudinal vein to the end of the seventh, a small patch at the tips of the second, third and fourth longitudinal veins. Fringe brown, variegated with white as follows : A large patch near the base on the anterior margin, a small patch at tips of first to third longitudinal veins, a patch on the posterior margin extend- ing from the tip of the fourth vein to the tip of the seventh, and a small patch at the end of the ninth vein. Legs clothed with brown hair and scales, with several annulations of white upon the tarsi. Antennae a little longer than the width of the wing, i6-jointed ; basal joint cylindrical, four times as long as thick; second joint large, globular; third joint much smaller than second, ovate ; fourth to sixteenth joints slender, fusiform, gradually diminishing in size ; the joints clothed with scattered hairs. Ventral plate shallow! y emarginate at apex, terminating on each side in a well-marked lobe ; ovipositor straight, acutely pointed. cf. — Antennce differing from those of the female in that the basal joint is relatively much longer, forming about one-fourth the length of the entire organ ; and the third joint, which is oval, bears near its apex an oval scar, from which arises a dense tuft of hair, the tuft being strongly bent in the midle, so as to assume a sinuous appearance. Genitalia con- spicuous. Inferior appendages two-jointed ; basal joint stout, twice as long as broad ; distal joint nearly twice as long as basal, slightly curved, tapering to apex, which bears a tuft of upwardly projecting clavate setae. Superior appendages not quite so long as inferior, two-jointed ; basal joint stout, cylindrical ; distal joint nearly straight, slender, about equal in length to basal, tapering to a rather acute point. Hab.— Maine. (Dr. G. DeN. Hough). Pericoma califortrica n. sp. 9- Length 2 mm. — Body brown, clothed with long gray hair. Wings ovate, twice as long as broad, apex bluntly rounded and terminating close to the tip of the second simple vein ; vestiture mottled with dark brown and white hair ; patches of erect dark brown hair upon the bifurcation and at the apices of the veins ; patch of white hair entad to the posterior bifurcation and another ectad to the anterior bifurcation ; fringe gray; posterior bifurcation closest to base of wing, the juncture between the mam vein and the lower branch of the fork obsolete ; length of wing 2.5 mm. Antennas not one-half as long as the breadth of the wing; 17- jointed ; basal joint cylindrical, slightly longer than broad ; second joint relatively large, globular; third to seventeenth joint nearly uniform in size, cylindrical, slightly narrowed at each end. Ventral plate squarish at base, finely ciliate, broadly and deeply emarginate at apex, the termi- nal lobes elongate, with bluntly rounded tips ; ovipositor long and narrow, nearly straight. 196 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, t$. — Genitalia conspicuous, clothed with gray hair. Inferior append- ages elongate, two-jointed ; basal joint stout, twice as long as broad ; second joint swollen at base, tapering to apex, which is rounded and bears on its dorsal surface a group of six or more stout flattened seta?. Superior appendages as long as inferior, two-jointed ; basal joint stout, cylindrical ; second joint slender, slightly enlarged basally, curving gently upwards. Hab. — Congress Springs, California. The above species is described from specimens reared from aquatic larvae by Prof. Vernon L,. Kellogg of Stanford Uni- versity. The immature stages were described by Prof Kellogg in the ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS for February, 1901. EXPLANATION OF PLATE. Figs. 1-5. — Pericoma ocellaris var. aniericana Fig. i. — Ventral plate of female. " 2. — Basal joints of male antenna. '• 3. — Basal joints of female antenna. " 4. — Male genitalia. " 5. — Ovipositor of female. Figs. 6-9. — Pericoma californica. Fig. 6. — Wing of female, denuded of hair. " 7. — Male genitalia. " 8. — Ventral plate of female. " 9. — Basal joints of male antenna. Contributions to the Odonata of Maine. — IV. By (the late) F. L/. HARVEY, Orono, Me. (Continued from page 178.) 67. Enallagma geminatum Kellicott. Taken in Bradley at Chemo Mills, July 26, 1899, on rocks in swift water. 8 specimens taken, 7 males and i female. One pair /;/ coitu. Our specimens are larger than recorded by Kellicott, the abdomen being about 23 mm. long instead of 20 mm. The superior appendages seems to be longer, more slender, and the superior incision deeper, than shown in Kelli- cott's drawing. The specimens all have lateral black stripes on 8 and 9. The male /;/ coitu has a blue spot and two small blue dots in the distal third of the dorsum of 7. All the other males have 7 entirely black. One specimen showed the blue ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 197 stripe on the thorax divided. Three specimens showed no dorsal interruption of the basal ring of 2, and the black of the dorsum was a distal spot with a tail. In another specimen the interruption was a hair-line of black. The black mark on the dorsum of 8 of the female which separates the blue spot on either side is shaped like a wine glass. The blue spots on 8 are crossed by black veins. So far as we know this species has not been taken before in New England. It flies close to the water and is hard to catch. We dipped the net over the rock on which the specimens rested. 56. Enallagma Calverti Morse .$ . The $ of this species was described by Prof. Morse in Psyche, March, 1895, p. 208. As no mention is made of the 9 we presume that it has not been described. * Below we give a description drawn up from an examination of many specimens. There are two color forms of the female of this species : (#) in which the color is bright blue on the abdomen, like that in the male ; (b) in which the markings are of the same pat- tern and location as in the other, but so pale that they do not show well, and the abdomen appears, when casually examined, as bronzy throughout. The bronzy form may be teneral, although both forms were in copula at the same date and at the same pond with undoubted E. calvcrti males. Total length 29-34 mm. — Hind wing 18-21 mm. The head and thorax marked like those of the male, only paler. Abdomen bronzy-black and blue. The first segment all blue, excepting an anterior transverse dor- sal stripe, back of which on the median line is a small dot, near the pos- terior suture on the dorsum a small T-shaped spot, the short stem reaching the suture. Second segment a dorsal dark band running the whole length, narrowing in the middle, and posteriorly widening to an orbicular spot which joins the suture of the third segment. Viewed from above, segments 3 to 8 show twin blue spots anteriorly, which slope down the sides and involve the lower half. Those on the third reach beyond the middle, while those on 4-7 involve only one-sixth. On segment 8 the blue reaches more than half the length and the separating dark color much wider. The blue on the sides of 8 separated into two spots by a narrow projection of the dark color. Dorsum of 9 dark. Dorsum of 10 with narrow portion of blue of the sides showing each side. * [A brief description of the female was published by Mr. E. B. Williamson in the NKVVS for May, 1900, page 455.] 198 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, 68. Enallagma exsulans Hagen. Abundant early in July along the Still water River at Orono (Harvey). This was taken, in 1891, at Manchester, by Miss Wadsw7orth, and is evidently common in the Penobscot valley, although we have previously overlooked it. Subfamily 3, GOMPHIN^. 26. Hagenius brevistylus Selys. This species is quite common in Chemo Stream, Bradley, in July. We have taken about 40 specimens during the past two seasons, and they were nearly all males. They were flying up stream mostly, and nearly all were taken from a dead limb about four feet above and projecting over the water. They are not very wary, and one can readily wade up to them. Of those taken, one male showed a peculiar malformation of the left fore wing in which the cross vein of the triangle is hori- zontal and the cell in front of it curved ; seven single cells on the distal side represent the double row in normal specimens ; the double row of border cells below the triangle and the row of single cells at the anal angle are reversed. We took a single 9 ovipositing in shallow, running water, Russell Stream, Northeast Carry, Aug. 29, 1899, and Aug. 28th a single old £ with tattered wings on a rock in the West Branch of the Penobscot, Northeast Carry. These are late dates for this species. (To be continued.) — i «•> • — A Trip to Montreal. BY H. H. NEWCOMB. It was my good fortune to spend a couple of days in Mon- treal during the early part of last October. Previous to my coming I had writen to several of the Lepidopterists of that beautiful city, and the cordiality of their replies filled me with eager anticipation ; nor was I disappointed, for a more cour- teous and entertaing lot of collectors would be hard to find. Soon after my arrival I was met by Mr. Albert F. Winn, the President of the Montreal Branch of the Entomological So- ciety of Ontario, and by him advised how best to spend my time in order to see as many of the collections of L,epidoptera as possible during my short stay. IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 199 Bright and early the next morning I started for the Natural History Rooms on University Street. The collection there was not what it should be, I am sorry to say, being in poor condi- tion and small in numbers ; but, alas, how often we find the same state of affairs here in the States, where the Directors of Museums neglect Entomology for less important collections. As Mr. Alfred Griffin, the curator, is a very agreeable gentle- man to meet, I felt repaid for my visit in spite of my disap- pointment at not seeing more " material." McGill University is beautifully situated under the shadow of Mt. Royal. In the Redpath Museum, one of the handsome college buildings, are no less than four collections. The D' Urban collection is in fair condition, considering its age, and consists entirely of North American material, and is contained in 9 drawers. The Pearson collection fills 28 drawers. The insects are well spread, but are a mixed lot of Lepidoptera, though the greater part are North American. The Bowies' collection is well arranged, and is kept in 39 cases with glass tops. As in the preceeding, North American Lepidoptera predominate. The Catocalse are well represented, and among the varieties I noticed Lcpiscsia fiavofasciata and Hcpialus thulc. The latter moth is strictly local and " flies be- tween 8.10 and 8.25 on the evenings of July nth, i2th and 1 3th," so I was informed by one of the enthusiasts. Fourth and last is the Denton collection, which consists of 500 exotics, beautifully mounted in the Denton tablets. This makes a very handsome appearance, and is a great addition to the Museum. By kindness of Mr. Winn, I next saw the collection of Mr. H. H. L/ynian, who was in Europe at the time of my visit. This was indeed a magnificent collection of North American material. It was particularly rich in the genera . //;' ynui* and ( 'Iiionobas, and showed great care in mounting, labeling, etc. It occupies about 60 drawers. The Montreal Branch held their monthly meeting one week earlier than the regular date, so that I might be present, a compliment which I very much appreciated. Before the meet- ing, which was held at Mr. Whin's residence, I had a hasty 200 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, view of his collection, which is an excellent one and in fine condition. The classification, mounting, labeling, etc., are first class, and it is, indeed, a pleasure to see such a well- cared for collection. It contained many rarities which space forbids me to enumerate. I must mention, however, a fine line of H. t/ni/c, of which I was fortunate enough to have one presented to me along with other ' ' plunder ' ' of hardly less importance. Mr. Winn's collection occupies about 50 drawers and represents North American fauna. The meeting proved very interesting, there being nine members present, one of them my good friend, Dr. Fyles of Quebec, who made a special trip from that city in order to attend. Several papers were read and a good exhibit of speci- mens made. A collation followed, which added to the sociality of the affair. The only other collection which I had time to see was that of Mr. Dwight Brainerd and his brother. Though not so large as some of the others, this collection is well worth see- ing, as it is unique in many respects. It contains no ex- changes ; every specimen was taken by the owners. It is strictly local, with the exception of some material from Edgar- town, Mass., where the Messrs. Brainerd have spent some of their vacations. The classification is the reverse of what we usually see ; the lowest forms coming first in order and the last drawers of the cabinet containing the diurnals. With the specimens are a great many blown larvae, bleached wings, ovae and even frass, so that a high scientific value is attained, and the life histories of many insects seen at a glance. It was with great regret that my two days were over — all too soon — but I shall always cherish pleasant memories of my visit to Montreal, and remember with pleasure the kindness of the members of the Montreal branch. A Successful Failure. BY ANNIE TRUMBULL SLOSSON. I went again last winter to Miami, on Biscayne Bay, Florida, staying there from Christmas-eve till the first of April. I have never known as unfavorable a season for collecting in IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 2OI that part of the country. There was no severe cold, no freezing weather such as sometimes visits that semi-tropical clime, described in hotel circulars and land companies' adver- tisements as "beyond the frost line." But we had day after day of chilly, cloudy weather, generally with high winds. Our evenings were shivery, and our nights so cold that one found an extra blanket comfortable. Now, Florida insects are very susceptible to changes in temperature ; much more than are our hardy northern ones. In Franconia I have often taken Lepidoptera when the mercury was below 50°. In South Florida it is an exceptionally bold insect that ventures out when the temperature is lower than 65°. So I found all orders of insects very scarce. Even the proverbially unseeing pleas- ure tourist noticed and commented upon the absence of butter- flies. And as for the few entomologists who came that way —well, I know that one at least, a man well known to all readers of the NEWS, a good collector and charming compan- ion, used some very strong language in speaking of the scarcity of insect life at Miami this season. I think he said —or berhaps only implied — that he could capture more insects in Philadelphia during the winter than in the tropical country along Biscay ne Bay. Well, I could hardly blame him. Day after day, week after week went by, and the dearth of insect life continued, while my spirits sank lower and lower and hope grew faint ; and at the end of March, as I prepared to turn northward, I still considered the season a failure — entomologi- cally, I mean. But now, that lovely white Miami, with her waving palms and blue waters, is far away, distance lends her usual enchantment, and I recall only the pleasant experiences, the interesting, if fewT, discoveries, which now seem to make my winter very near to a success, after all. The most common shrub along the roadsides at Miami, near the shore and also far inland, is one of the Ulmaceae, Tretna micrantha. This grows from ten to twenty feet high, looks not unlike the Celtis or Hackberry, and has nettle-like leaves similar to those of Boehmeria, insignificant, greenish flowers and very small, round, yellow fruit. In Chapman's Botany the only locality given for this shrub is "shell mounds in 2O2 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, Lastero Bay, South Florida." But, as I have said, it grows ever}' where along Biscayne Bay. And, for some reason un- known to me, it is the favorite food plant and haunt of insects in all orders. Several years ago I found two fine Halisodota caterpillars feeding upon this shrub. They proved to be larvae of H. cinctipcs. I have never found any of these since that time until this last winter. The very first walk I took after my arrival — it was on Christmas- day — I found several of these handsome caterpillars in different stages, and they were to be seen occasionally from that time until February, and perhaps later. They fed well in confinement, spun the usual egg-shaped cocoons and emerged, between three and four weeks after pupation, perfect moths, closely resembling our northern H. tesselata. I have never seen these larvae on any plant but the Trcina. There were always, too, upon this shrub two tiny Jassids, Typhlocybas I think, brightly and daintily marked ; and one day, as I swept my net over one of the bushes, a delicate green Capsid flew and lighted upon my sleeve. It was the most shadowy, fragile ghost of a Capsid, transparent and almost invisible as it rested on the pale green underside of the leaves, where I afterwards saw it. I took several of them. Prof. Uhler has given it the MS. name Diaphania parvula. One day, while hunting for this small creature, I came upon a colony of aphids. Among them and feeding upon them was what I felt sure was a L/ycaenid larva. It was of usual slug- like form, with small head. My excitement was intense. I took the leaf with the aphids and their devourer, placed them in a glass tumbler in my room and at once wrote to Dr. Skinner. Was Feniscca tarqninins found in South Florida, or did he know of any other insectivorous butterfly larva in this country? So I questioned him. Of course, our enthusi- astic Aurelian was interested. He responded at once, urging me to spare no pains in bringing the larva to maturity and expressing hopes that I might find more specimens. Before the letter reached me I had discovered another colony of plant lice with a similar larva in its midst, and both my specimens had formed chrysalids — or what seemed to me such — odd little cases, light brown in color, which I did not examine very IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 203 closely. Long before I looked for transformation, the cases opened and there emerged — two flies ! My curious Lycaenid larvae were only maggots of the dipterous genus />airha, long known as aphidivorous. Do you wonder that I set this blun- der down as one of my successes ? Well, it was a discovery, of its kind. I learned a lesson, too, from the experience ; and is not a lesson, if thoroughly learned, a sort of success? But I found the genuine thing a little later — a real Lycaenid caterpillar, though it was not feeding upon Aphidae. It was a green, slug-like larva, looking silvery or frosted, because of the white, short bristles, which grew close together all over it. It was feeding on the leaves of the Trema, and continued to feed and thrive in captivity until it came to the imago state and became a fine male specimen of Thcda martialis Herr Sch. This is a West Indian species, which I was so fortunate as to add to our own lists a few years ago. As far as I know, its life history has never been recorded. (To be continued.) Letters from Thomas Say to John F. Melsheimer, 1816-1825.— V. Philadelphia Novr 6^1817. Dear Sir I sincerely thank you for the insects you sent me, I re- ceived them in the best possible order, & many of them were new to me, yon are rich in the very interesting aquatic genera -For all these I will endeavour to make you some return by & by. In the mean time I would send you the first number of the American Entomology1 if I could find any conveyance for it; sending it through the Post-office will be unnecessarly expen- sive, perhaps you can advise a better mode — It contains six coll1? plaates, besides an engraved title page & vignette, with about two sheets of letter press ; the arrangement of the mat- ter is upon the plan of Donovan' s Brittish /itscf/s I will have 1 The generally ascribed dates of publication of the American Entomo- logy is 1824-' 28. The work appeared in numbers, and, as is seen, the first appeared in 1817. In the preceding letter, dated April 27, 1817, Say speaks of the first number as not having been issued ; inferential!}- it appeared between that date and that of the present letter. — W. J. F. 204 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, the pleasure to send you the numbers as they appear — The de- scriptions you will find are very brief, perhaps too much so, although accompanied by figures — I shall alter the plan some- what for the future numbers — Great obscurity has crept into Natural History in consequence of a mistaken notion, that the character of an animal can be given in three or four words ; you, no doubt, have had occasion to regret the brevity of de- scription that has been indulged in by L,inne, Fabricius &c, & will agree with me, that in man}' instances they are more generic than specific, so that several distinct species can with equal propriety be referred to a single trivial name ; but natural- ists are now beginning to profit by their own experience of the absurdity of this mode of procedure & I hope it will not belong, before in our text books we shall have such characters indicated, as shall be decisive— Isoccros brunneus has been called by Latreille Parandra brunea & also Parandra la-vis, has not De Geer in some part of his works named it Attelabns lacvus ? this syonym I have seen somewhere. It appears to have five joints to the tarsi, the addition [al] one is penultimate, & it is also worthy of remark that in Cncujus there is an appearance of a fifth joint at the base of the tarsus ; in habit the two genera are widely distinct — will it not serve to connect the preceding family with this, in the same degree nearly, that Ulciota {Brontes) con- nects this f amity, with the Ccrambicini. It is with the greatest pleasure I learn your intention to communicate to me some observations on some of the genera of Insects, this I assure you \vill afford me the utmost satis- faction & I look for them with solicitude ; 1 have made con- siderable advances in a distinct work which may be entitled Descriptions of the Insects of North America? this is to be with- out plates, it is a work I have fixed particular attention upon, but it will occupy a considerable time & will be the product of much, & unremitted, labor. Any observations you may make to me, with which I was not previously conversant, shall be most scrupulously recorded & placed in that work to your credit, & all those insects you have sent me, which I had not before seen, will of course be 2(See footnote i, page 176 of this volume. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 205 noted there as yours — & your specific names as recorded in tlu- " Catalogue oj Insects of Pennsvlrania " shall be preserved in every instance that your numbers ( which I have always re- tained attached to the Insects you sent me) in my Cabinet, will enable me so to do, with the exception only of such names, as have been applied to other insects of the same genus— I thank you much for the handsome manner, in which you have been pleased to express your approbation, of my attempt at descriptions of our Fresh Water & Land Shells, I was urged to do it by finding them entirely overlooked in the publications of late authors ; Several shells have been since added to the list, which I will communicate to you in the "Journal of the Academy of Natural Science" a small work we are issuing here, from the Society that I informed you of, when I had the pleasure to be at your house. This little work I will be careful in future to send to you as early as it appears, though I do not know how7 long it may continue to be issued ; you wrill see in the ' ' Journal ' that I have been describing the Crustacea of our waters ; but my dear sir, I assure you that Shells and Crustacea are but secondary things with me, INSECTS are the great objects, of my attention, I hope to be able to renounce everything else & attend to them only- I sent for some of the books you informed me of, to Paris, & have recieved intelligence from my correspondent there of their having been shipped, so that they may be expected every day. I have made out a monograph of the Cicindela of N. America which will soon be published with figures, it shall be sent to you as soon as it appears, There are twelve species described. I wrould give you here a further account of it but my paper warns me to stop- Most respectfully I remain your friend & Obd1. Serv1. Thomas Say. I yesterday sent you a copy, through the Post-office, of the fifth number of the Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences — Tomorrow I will send the Sixth number — I hope they may be duly received T Sax 206 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, A New Chionobas from Maine. BY H. H. NEWCOMB. Chionobas katahdin n. sp. Male. Size and general character of semidea, but with the outer third of wings much lighter in color. Primaries with one to four small spots parallel to the outer margin. Edge of costa and fringes concolorous. Undersides of inferiors have a wide band, much as in taygete. The female has the same gen- eral character as the male, but on the inferiors below there is a row of five spots. Described from a number of specimens taken by the writer on Mount Katahdin. A detailed description and account of the species will appear inthe October NEWS. A New Anthomyid Injurious to Lupines. By D. W. COQUILLETT. Phorbia lupini n. sp £ . — Black, the halteres yellow, frontal vitta reddish brown, middle and hind tibiae largely yellowish brown ; eyes contiguous, about eight pairs of frontal bristles, antennae very broad, noticably shorter than the face, the third joint only slightly longer than the second, pubescence of the arista very short, proboscis short and rather robust ; thorax thinly brown- ish pruinose, the posterior portion gray, pruinose and marked with a dark median vitta, the sides and pleura densely light gray pruinose ; scutellum brownish pruinose, margined with light grey ; abdomen narrow, nearly linear, its five segments of nearly an equal length, dark gray pruinose and marked with an indefinite, blackish median vitta, the venter not furnished with processes, its hairs rather long and of nearly an equal length, hypo- pygitim rather large, its first segment densely grey pruinose, the second polished, bearing many rather long hairs ; front tibiae each bearing a bris- tle near the middle of the posterior side, a blunt pointed one at the apex on the posterior side besides a few normal bristles elsewhere at the apex ; middle femora ciliate, with long bristles on the basal half of the posterior under side, and with very short ones on the apical half ; middle tibiae each bearing a bristle near two-thirds the length of the anterior outer side, one slightly higher on the posterior outer side, one near the middle and another near three fourths the length of the inner side ; hind femora ciliate almost the entire length of their under side, with long bristles of nearly an equal length ; hind tibiae ciliate, with about seventeen almost straight, rather long bristles on nearly the entire length of the posterior inner side, with from four to six on the anterior inner side, from five to seven on the ante- rior outer side, and the same number on the posterior outer side, besides ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 207 those at the apex ; tarsi not furnished with bristly hairs on the upper side of the first joint ; wings hyaline, costal spine shorter than the small cross- vein, third and fourth veins converging toward their apices, penultimate section of the fourth about three-fourths as long as the last section. 9- — A pair of praeocellar bristles, thorax densely yellowish gray prui- nose and marked with three indistinct black vittae, abdomen oval, the first segment shorter than the remaining four, front tibiae each bearing an ad- ditional bristle, situated below the middle of the anterior side, no blunt pointed bristle at the apex (middle legs wanting), hind tibiae bare on the posterior inner side, bearing two bristles on the median third of the ante- rior inner side, four on the posterior outer side and five on the anterior outer side, otherwise as in the male, except the sexual characters. Length 5 mm. Two males and one female, bred February 20, 1901, by Mr. Carroll Fowler, from stems of Lupin its a/bus, received from L.OS Angeles, Cal. Type No. 5746, U. S. Nat. Mus. Near plat lira Meigen (= = fusciccps Zett., -- cilicntra Rond.), but readily distinguished by the long bristles on the under side of the hind femora. A New Species of Dichopetala. By JAMES A. G. REHN. The specimen here described as a new species was recently referred by the writer to D. »u\\'ica>ia Brunner, but a more recent examination has convinced him that its affinities are closer to D. emarginata Brunner, but still well removed from that. Dichopetala pulchra n. sp. 1900. Dichopetala me.vicana Rehn (not of Brunner), Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., xxvii, p. 88. Type: female; Rio Cocula, Guerrero, Mexico, May 12, 1898. Collected by Otis W. Barrett. Allied to D. anarghiata Brunner, with which species it agrees in the form of the subgenital plate, but differing mainly in the color pattern which approaches D. >nc.\icana. Size medium. Head subglobose ; the vertex produced into a spine-like process, which is separated from the front by a narrow diastema ; front, clypeus and labrium glabrous ; eyes small, globose. Pronotum centrally constricted ; the anterior margin slightly arcuate, the posterior truncate ; 208 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, central sulcus deeply impressed on the upper portion of the lateral lobes which are much longer than deep, the lower margin sinuate, the anterior and posterior angles broadly rounded. Tegmina very abbreviate, just ap- pearing from under the pronotum. Abdomen very heavy and corpulent. Limbs very slender ; posterior femora and tibiae very long, the spines on the external margin of the latter numbering 29. Ovipositor rather stout, the superior and inferior margins serrato-dentate, the former for about one-third and the latter about one-fourth of the total length. Subgenital plate with a moderately deep triangular incision. General color above brownish purple, extending from the tip of the vertex to the last segment of the abdomen ; the sides of head, pronotum and abdomen and lower surface pale yellowish green. Front, clypeus and labrum whitish. Pro- notum with the general tint of the disk bordered by a broken black line, which is continued more or less distinctly upon the abdominal segments, this being outlined externally by a line of pea green. Limbs greenish tinged with reddish on the anterior and median femora, the distal extremi- ties of the femora and both the distal and proximal extremities of the tibise black, the posterior femora being basally variegated with black on the outer face. Ovipositor green, the superior margin and tip somewhat infuscate. Measurements. Total length 20. mm. Length of pronotum . . . . . .4.5 mm. Length of ovipositor 11.5 mm. Length of ant. femora . . . . . .11. mm. Length of post, femora ..... 24.5 mm. Length of post, tibiae . . . . . -29. mm. A Peculiar New Type of Halictine Bees. BY T. D. A. COCKERELL. Halictiis conanihi, sp. n. — ?. Length about 4 mm.; black, with a decided green lustre on head, thorax and abdomen, or it might better be described as very dark green, the surface throughout having a sort of satiny sheen ; head elongate-oval, shaped much as in the Proctrotrypia genus Dissomphalus ( $ ), with the short antenna placed very low do:oi, at least twice as far from the ocelli as from the mouth; clypeus promi- nent, piceous, shining ; a fringe of shining, yellowish hairs beneath its margin ; mandibles whitish, with ferruginous ends ; maxillary palpi long and slender ; flagellum pale ferruginous beneath, somewhat darker above ; tegulae hyaline, not punctured ; wings very short, clear, beautifully irides- cent, nervures and stigma sepia-brown ; first recurrent nervure received by second submarginal cell not much beyond its middle; femora black, knees, tibia and tarsi light ferruginous ; abdomen long and narrow, but I90l[ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 2Og flattened, with a conspicuous apical bunch of fuscous hairs. With a compound microscope, the abdomen is seen to be minutely transversely striate ; the head and thorax are tessellate ; the front is distinctly, but very sparsely punctured ; the cheeks, legs, etc., are covered with plumose white hairs. Hab. — Mesilla, New Mexico, July 17 ( Ckll.} One at flowers of Conaiit/nis /n'spidiis ; it may be that the narrow head serves to facilitate the getting of nectar from the flower, but it is ex- tremely peculiar. The insect may be referred to a new sub- genus Conanthalictus, characterized by the peculiarities itali- cised in the above description, and also by the large semilunar enclosure of the metathorax, coarsely granular and dull, with a distinct rim. Sph(eridium scarabtvoides Linn, in Northern and Central New York.— I was interested in Mr. Pearsall's note in the May NEWS regarding the occurrence of this species in the Catskills. In the NEWS for September, '98, I recorded its occurrence in St. Lawrence County in the vicinity of Potsdam, the first specimens having been taken in the summer of '96. The species is evidently well established there, as I have taken numbers of the beetles each succeeding season. On May 4th last, while passing through a cow pasture just outside of Ithaca, I made a short search for Sphteridium, and in the course of a few- minutes located several — enough to satisfy me that the species is well established in this locality. Like Aphodius fiinetarius Linn., with which I find it associated to a considerable extent, this species may have been introduced from Europe into the eastern part of the United States or Canada, from which point it is now spreading. It would be interesting to know how far west and south the species is found. It is a strong flier, so its range could be rapidly extended were the conditions favorable.— C. O. HOUGHTON, Ithaca, N. Y. EGGS OF Arachnis zuni. — On the 2jth of May a large female moth (A. zuni) was taken at Las Vegas, N. M., and confined in a pasteboard box. Four days after about two dozen eggs were discovered firmly glued to the side of the box. The eggs are nearly globular, slightly pointed at the micropyle. They are about l/2 mm. in diameter, and of a light bluish gray. The surface appears smooth and shiny when examined with an ordinary lens, but is found to be irregularly roughened when examined with a compound microscope. — WILMATTE PORTER COCKERELL. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfully receive items of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.] To Contributors. — All contributions will be considered and passed upon at our earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep- tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer- ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num- ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five "extras," without change in form, will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.— ED. PHILADELPHIA, PA., SEPTEMBER, 1901. The fact that several serious and often fatal diseases are dis- seminated by insects has called general attention to Entomo- logy as a scientific study. The entomologist of not many years ago was looked upon by the public as a sort of harmless lunatic. At the present time Entomology is one of the most important studies known. We venture the opinion that in case of war between two nations, fairly evenly matched as to men and money, that the nation recognizing the importance of entomo- logy and bacteriology and giving proper attention to these matters would come out victorious. In other words, it would not be a question of armament. The English, in their present war with the little African Republics, have had over 100,000 men invalided. The cause was undoubtedly flies and the Bacillus typhosits. In our war with Spain we lost 8000 men by disease. What is the lesson ? Do away with political appointments and nepotism. Don't depend on curing the disease (therapeutics). Here is a recipe for death : Several commanding officers of a regiment that know as much about camp sanitation and hygiene as the horses they ride. Several doctors — political appointees — with the ink scarcely dry on their diplomas ; uncovered latrines ; no polic- ing of the camp ; excrement everywhere ; calvary near by ; house-flies by the million ; deaths from typhoid fever by the thousand. Has the lesson been learned even now ? 210 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 211 Entomological Literature. COMPILED BY P. P. CALVERT. Under the above head it is intended to mention papers received at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia pertaining to the Entomology of the Americas (North and South). Articles irrelevant to American entomology will not be noted. Contribu- tions to the anatomy, physiology and embryology of insects, however, relating to Ameri- can or exotic species, will be recorded. The numbers in HEAVY-FACED TYPE refer to the journals, as numbered in the following list, in which the papers are published ; * denotes that the paper in quest ion con tains descriptions of new North American forms. Titles of all articles in foreign languages are translated into English; usually such articles are written in the same language as the title of the journal containing them, but when such articles are in other languages than English, French, German or Italian, this fact is indicated in brackets. 1. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1901, part i, May.— 3. The American Naturalist, Boston, '01. — 4. The Canadian Entomologist, London, Ont., '01. — 5. Psyche, Cambridge, Mass., '01. — 6. Journal of the New York Entomological Society, June, '01.— 7. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington ; publications of. — 9. The Entomologist, London, '01. — 11. The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, London, June, '01. — 14. Proceedings of the Zoologi- cal Society of London, 'oo ; iv, April i, '01. — 21. The Entomologist's Record, London, 'or. — 33. Denkschriftend. Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe, Ixviii, Vi- enna, 'oo, rec'd. June 10, '01. — 3o. Annales, Socie"te Entomologique de Belgique, xlv, 5, Brussels, May 29, '01. — 37. Le Naturaliste Canadian, Chicoutimi, Quebec, June, '01.— 4O. Societas Entomologica, Zu'rich- Hottingen, '01. — GO. Comunicaciones, Museo Nacinal de Buenos Aires, i, 8, March 18, '01. — G4. Annalen, k. k. Naturhistorischen Hofmuseums, xv, 2, Vienna, 'oo ; rec'd. June 10, '01. — 74. Naturwissenhschaftliche Wo- chenschrift, Berlin, May 26, '01. — 81. Biologisches Centralblatt, Erlangen, '01. — 1O3. Proceedings, California Academy of Sciences, Zoology, iii, San Francisco, '01.— 1O8. The Agricultural Journal, Cape Town, '01.— 15O. Bulletins, New Hampshire Agric. Exper. Station, Durham, N. H., 'or. — 151. Atti, R. Accademia di Scienze Fisiche e Matematiche (2) x, Naples, '01. THE GENERAL SUBJECT.— Auuaiidale, N. Observations on the habits and natural surroundings of insects made during the Skeat Expedition to the Malay Peninsula 1899-1900. [Flower-like Mantidae, Harpagid pupa, alarming color and attitude, sound's produced by insects, luminosity, use of spines, use of prolongation of head in Fulgoridae].— 14. Balint, S. Intracellular arrangement of neurofibrillae in facetted eyes of insects, Sitzungsberichte d. medicinisch-naturwiss. Section, Sieb- enburgischen Museumvereins, xxiv, Kolozsvart, 1899. Rec'd. |un. i, '01. — Brunetti, E. On labeling insects, 9, June, 4, July. — Chapman, T. A. Names and definitions of hybrids, 9, July. — fssel, It. Essay on the Italian thermal fauna, Atti, R. Accademia di Scienze di Torino, 212 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, xxxvi, 1901.— Lang-ley, S. P., and Very, F. W. On the cheapest form of light [fire-fly], 3 pis., Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 1258, Washington, '01. — de Mei.jere, J. C. H. On the last joint of the legs of Arthropods, 8 pis., Zoologische Jahrbiicher, Abth. fur Anatomic, xiv, 3, Jena, April 24, '01. — Moller, A. Phycomyceten und Ascomyceten. Untersuchungen aus Brasilien. Jena. Fischer. 1901. [Cordyceps, etc. on insects]. — Osten Sacken, C. R. An introduction to the record of my life work in entomology. Cambridge : Printed at the University Press. 1901. — Plateau, F. New researches on the relations between insects and flowers : Do Syrphids admire the colors of flowers ? Memoires, So- cie"te Zoologique de France, xiii, Paris, 1900. — Rudow. Birds and In- sects, Insekten Borse, Leipsic, June 6, 13, '01. — Walton, L. B. The metathoracic pterygoda of the Hexapoda and their relation to the wings, figs., 3, May. — Weeks, A. C. Suggestions for collecting insects with least injury [in Proceedings of the New York Ent. Society], 6. ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.— Aiion. Catalogue of Collec- tions of pests and insecticides. Commission of Agricultural Parasitology of the Secretary for Public Promotion. Mexico. 1901. — Chittendeii, F. H. Insect enemies of the white pine, figs., Bulletin 22, Division of Forestry, 7, 1899 ; Rec'd. June 10, 1901. — Colledge, W. R. Notes on a malaria-carrying mosquito (Anopheles pictus], 4 pis., Proceedings, Royal Society of Queensland, xvi, Brisbane, '01. — Frers, C. Locust extermi- nation [in the Argentine Republic], 1O8, May 23.— Koiiiiigsbergcr, J., and Zinmiermaim, A. The animal enemies of coffee culture in Java, ii [in Dutch]. Mededeelingen uit s' Lands Plantentuin, xliv. Ba- tavia, 1901. — Kiinckel d'Herculais, J. Locust extermination [trans- lation from the Spanish of a report to the Argentine Government], 1O8, May 9. — Kuwaiia, S. I. The San Jose" scale in Japan, Contributions to Biology from the Hopkins Seaside Laboratory of Leland Stanford, Jr., University, xxv, Palo Alto, Cali., '01.— Lowe, V. H., and Parrott, P. J. San Jose scale investigations, Bulletins 193, 194, New York Agric. Exper. Station, Geneva, N. Y., Dec., 'oo.— Mally, F. W. The Mexi- can cotton-boll weevil, figs., Farmers' Bulletin, No. 130, 7, '01. — Mal- inejac, F. Destruction of ants, La Nature, Paris, June 15, '01. — Man- rique, J. G. Extinction of the locust, possibility of the propagation of fungus epidemic, 1O8, May 23, June 6.— di Mattel, E. Malarial pro- phylaxis with protection of man against mosquitoes, Atti, Accademia Gioenia di Scienze Natural! in Catania (5) xiii, 1900. Rec'd. June 10, '01. — Xuttall, G. H. F. On the question of priority with regard to certain discoveries upon the etiology of malarial diseases, Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, London, May, '01. — Rogers, L. The relation- ship of the water-supply, water-logging, and the distribution of Anopheles mosquitoes respectively, to the prevalence of malaria north of Calcutta, Journal, Asiatic Society of Bengal, Ixix, ii, 4. Calcutta, Jan. 22, '01. Rec'd. June 14. — Sasaki, C. On the Japanese species allied to the San Jos£ scale in America, i pi., Annotationes Zoologies Japonenses, iii, 4. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 213 Tokyo, April 30, '01. — Slingerlaml, M. V. A glance into the past and future, and some of the insect episodes of 1900, figs. Reprint from Proceedings of the Forty-sixth Annual Meeting of the Western New York Horticultural Society,- Jan. 23 and 24, 1901, Rochester, 1901 ; three un- usual strawberry pests, figs., Bulletin 190, Cornell University Agric. Exper. Station, Ithaca, New York, May, '01 ; further experiments against the peach-tree borer, figs. Bulletin 192 of the same, June.— Sternberg", O. M. The transmission of yellow fever by mosquitoes, Popular Science Monthly, New York, July, '01. — Try on, H. Pineapple mealy bug [in Queensland], 1O3, April 25. — Weber, L. Insects as parasites, producers and distributors of disease in man and higher animals, Abhandlungen u. Bericht xlv, Verein fiir Naturkunde zu Kassel, 1900.— Webster, F. M. An experiment in the importation of beneficial in- sects, 4, June. — Weed, C. M. Insect record for 1900, 15O, Bulletin 81, Feb. — Wilcox, E. V. Abstracts of recent papers, Experiment Station Record, xii, 10, 7, '01.— Wolff, M. The habits of the inter- mediate host of malaria according to the observations of Grassi, figs., 81, May i. — Xambeu. Habits and metamorphoses of Anobium pani- ceum L. Le Naturaliste, Paris, June i, 'or. ARACHNIDA.— Nalepa, A. To knowledge of the genus Erio- physes, Sieb. em. Nal., 5 pis., 33.— Police, G. Researches on the nervous system of Euscorpius italicus, i pi., 151. — Rainbow, W. J. Notes on the architecture, nesting habits and life histories of Australian Araneidae, etc. Records of the Australian Museum, iv, r, Sydney, Mar. 29, '01. MYRIOPODA.— Attems, C. Classification of the Polydesmidce, ii, 6 pis.,* 33. — Mauck, A. V. On the swarming and variation in a myriapod (Fontaria virginiensis], 3, June. COLLEMBOLA.— Folsom, J. W. Review of the Collembolan genus Nee/us and description of N. uiinutus n. sp.* i pi., 5, July. ORTHOPTEKA.— Bordas, L. The defensive or odoriferous glands of roaches, Comptes Rendus, 1' Academic des Sciences, Paris, June 3, '01. — Morse, A. P. The Xiphidiini of the Pacific coast,*, 4, July.— Pierantoiii, U. Contributions to the study of the stomato- gastric nervous system of saltatory Orthoptera, i pi., 151. — Relin, J. A. G. The Linnean genus Gryllus — additions and corrections, 4, June. NKUROPTERA.— Rig-gins, H. T. The development and com- parative structures of the gizzard in the Odonata zygoptera, 3 pis., 1.— McClendon, J. F. A new species of Chrysopa from Texas, fig.. 5, June. — Sondlieim, M. Perceptive ability of a dragonfly larva, 81, May 15. HEM I PT ERA.— Berg, C. Substitution of a generic name of He- miptera, (JO.— Breddin, G. New Coreidae and Pyrrhacoridae, 4O, May r5 ; new neotropical bugs, 4O, June 15. — Cliolodkovsky, N. Aphidological communications, figs., Zoologischer Anzeiger, Leipsic, May 13, '01.— Cockerell, T. D. A, New Coccidse from Mexico,* 4, 214 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, July ; a new Coccid on roots of Rubus* 5, June ; a new Ceropla&tes (fam. Coccidas), 6O. — Coleman, G. A. The redwood mealy bug (Dactylopius sequoiez, sp. n.),* i pi., 1O3, May 29, '01.— Distant, W. L. Rhynchotal notes, x. Heteroptera, fam. Lygasidas, 11 ; revision of the Rhynchota belonging to the family Pentatomidae in the Hope Collec- tion at Oxford, 2 pis., 14.— Haiidlirsch, A. To knowledge of the stridulatory organs of the Rhynchota, figs., i pi., C$4.— Hempel, S. Descriptions of Brazilian Coccidae, 11.— King', G. B. The Coccidae of British North America, 4, June, July.— Kirkaldy, G. VV. On the nomenclature of the genera of the Rhynchota, Heteroptera auchenor- rhynchous Homoptera, 9, June.— Kuwaiia, S. I. New and little known California Coccidae,* 2 pis., 1O3, May 28, '01.— Montgomery, T. EL, Jr. Further studies on the chromosomes of the Hemiptera He- teroptera, i pi., 1. — Osborn, H. —New genus including two new species of Saldidae,* 4, June. — Patterson, R. W. Notes on Cerococcus, 3 pis., 1O3, May 24, '01. — Simdwick, E. E. On Psylla wax, psyllostearyl- alcohol and psyllostearyl acid (psylla-alcohol, psylla-acid), iii, Hoppe- Seyler's Zeitschrift fiir Physiologische Chemie, xxxii, 3, 4. 6 Strassburg, April 27, '01. — Woodworth, C. W. Note on the respiration of Alcit- rodes citri, 4, June. COLEOPTEB A..— BcJiulieu, G. The Scarbseidae of the province of Quebec (cont.), 37.— Berg, C, Some new or known Argentine spe- cies of the genus Epipedonota Sol., CJO.— Brauiis, H. A new termi- tophilous Aphodide from Orange Free State, i pi., C$4. — Fauvel, A. Description of a new species of Staphylinid from Tierra Fuego, CO.— Kerremans, C. Considerations on the Buprestidas [Phylogeny, Mim- icry, etc.], 35.— Waterlioiise, C. O. Two new genera of Coleoptera belonging to the Cupesidae and Prionidse, 11.— Webster, F. M. In- sectary rearings of two species of Mordel/istena, 4, June. DIPTERA.— Bartord, H. The development of bot-flies accord- ing to the latest researches, 74.— Brues, C. T. Two new myrmeco- philous genera of aberrant Phoridas from Texas,* figs., 3, May. — Cliag- noii, G. Preliminary studies on the Syrphidae of the province of Quebec (cont.), 37. — Kellog'gf, V. L. Phagocytosis in the postembryonic de- velopment of the Diptera, figs., 3, May; studies for students, i. The anatomy of the larva of the giant crane-fly (Holorusia rubiginosa), figs., 5, June.— Kulagiii, N". The structure of the female sexual organs in Culex and Anopheles, i pi. Zeitschrift fiir wissenschaftliche Zoologie, Ixix, 4, Leipsic, May 28, '01. — Melander, A, L. Gynandro-morphism in a new species of Hilara* figs., 5, June. LEP1DOPTEKA.— AIIOII. The [John Henry] Leech Collection [of Lepidoptera] presented to the nation [British Museum], 9, June.— BeuteiimViller, W. The earlier stages of Sphin.v gordius, Ceratotiia amyntor, and Smerinthus geminatus (3 papers), (» ; descriptions of three Lepidopterous larvae, C$.— Buckler, W. (the late). The larvre of the British Butterflies and Moths, vol. ix. Edited by G. T. Porritt. London. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 215 Ray Society volume for 1899. 1901. 17 colored pis.— Caspar! II, W. Some remarks on the theme ' Persecution of butterflies by birds,' 4O, June i. — Coquillett, D. W. Descrptions of three Lepidopterous larvae, <>. — Dog'uiii, P. New Heterocera from South America, 35. — Dyar, H. G. Further about the type of Acronycta, 4, July ; life histories of North American Geometridae, xxiii, 5, July ; note on the larva of Psaphidia tha.v- tenanus, G ; Diagnosis of a new Arctian,* 6. — Feriiald, C. H. New Py- ralidasand Tortricida? from Palm Beach, Florida,* 6. — Fiske, W. F. An annotated catalogue of the Butterflies of New Hampshire, loO, Technical Bulletin No. i.— French, G. H. More about the red-winged Catocalae, 4, July. — Friugs, C. Temperature experiments in the year 1900, 4O, May 15 to June i.— Grimiell, F., Jr. A new variety of Lyctztia amyntiila, with other notes,* 4, July. — Grote, A. K. Some original descriptions by Guene>, 4, June. — Hinds, W. E. Notes on the life- history of Alsophila pometaria Peck. (Fall Canker-worm), r pi., rigs., 4, July. — Konig:, A. Butterfly-caterpillars in water, Mittheilungen der Section fiir Naturkunde, Oesterreichischen Touristen-Club, xii, Vienna, 1900.— Prideaiix, K. M. Some notes on sexual dimorphism observed in the scaling of Colias edusa, i pi., 21, May 15. — Schaus, W. New species of Heterocera from tropical America, H,* 6. — Sharpe, Emily M. B. A Monograph of the Genus Teracolus, part ix. London. L. Reeve & Co., 1901. Rec'd. June, '01.— Soule, C. G. Notes on the mating of Attacus cecropia and others, 5, July. — Swain sou, E. M. Notes on lepidopterous larvae from Jamaica, <>. — Tutt, J. W. Migra- tion and dispersal of insects : Lepidoptera (cont.), 21, May 15 to July i. —Weeks, A. C. An aberration of Papilio phi/enor, i pi., 6. — Wolley Dod, F. H. Preliminary list of the Macro-lepidoptera of Alberta, N. W. T. (cont.), 4, June. HYMENOPTEKA.— Cockerell, T. D. A. Descriptions of new bees collected by Mr. H. H. Smith in Brazil, ii, 1; new and little-known bees from Nebraska,* 9, July ; variation in a bee, Nature, London, June 13, 'or.— Emery, C. Notes on the Dorylinse,* Bulletino, Societa Ento- mologica Italiano, xxxiii, i, Florence, May 31, 'or. — FoX, W. J. Two new Bembecine wasps,* 6. — Petrimkewitscli, A. Parthenogenesis in the honey bee, 74. — Smith, J. B. Notes on some digger bees, ii, 3 pis., 6. — Wheeler, W. M. The compound and mixed nests of American ants, i,* figs., 3, June; Microdon larva? in Pseiuti'iiivrnta nests, fig., 5, July. Monograph of the Sesiidae of America, North of Mexico. By William Beutenmuller. Vol. I, pt. vi, Memoirs of the American Museum of Nat- ural History, March, 1901. This great work treats of moths that are usually poorly represented in collections and difficult to determine as but few species were figured. Mr. Beutenrniiller has given us an exhaus- tive and painstaking work, and one that must prove invaluable to all stu- dents of these natural objects. The typography of the work leaves noth- 216 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, ing to be desired ; the text cuts are excellent and the figures of the moths themselves appear up to the standard. This is undoubtedly one of the best monographs ever writen in regard to American insects, and the only thing we can conscientiously criticise is the general character of plates xxxiv to xxxvi — they are exceedingly poor. — H. S. Mosquitoes : how they live ; how they carry disease ; how they are classified ; how they may be destroyed. By L. O. Howard, Ph.D., De- partment of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. New York, McClure, Phillips & Co. 12 mo. $1.50 net, postage 14 cents. This work of 240 pages and fifty illustrations covers the subject in an excellent manner. It is written in a popular way, yet scientific accuracy is never sacrificed. We particularly like the sub-headings of the chapters where the very natural questions concerning mosquitoes are answered. It is quite a re- lief to see a work like this after reading the entomological part of some of the papers on malaria in our prominent medical journals. This book should have a large sale as it is on a subject that is of interest to almost everyone. Physicians whose knowledge of entomology is usually very meagre would greatly profit by its perusal. It is the style of book one would expect from an accomplished entomologist, and Dr. Howard is to be congratulated on placing an interesting subject before the public in such a pleasing and scientifically accurate manner. — H. S. NATURE BIOGRAPHIES: — "The Lives of Some Everyday Butterflies Moths, Grasshoppers and Flies." By Clarence Moores Weed. With 150 photographic illustrations by the author. Doubleday, Page & Co., New York. This work of 162 pages is gotten out in nice style, and many of the illustrations are excellent. The work is a popular one and can't fail to be useful. We particularly like the first chapter and its illus- trations called "The Making of a Butterfly." We do not like the figures of drangonflies on the cover and see no use for such monstrosities. They would have been just as artistic and would just as well have reached a popular vein if they had looked more like dragonflies, and if the forked legs and forked tails had been drawn true to nature. There is plenty of room for improvement in the photographic part of the work. Some of the figures of the larva of the "viceroy butterfly" are poor. Fig. 43 and 44 show nothing and we take the author's word for it that there is some- thing there. Fig. 58 is poor. We doubt that the people for whom the work is intended could see anything in Fig. 59. It is much easier to pin butterflies to plants and photograph them than to do the work under more difficult conditions, and we find that insect photographers often do this, but neglect to say so or infer that they were taken otherwise. Fig. 177 illustrates a dragonfly and shows an utter lack of detail. There is much chance for improvement in this respect. Fig. 136 is very poor, and also shows where improvement could be made. The book is written in a very happy vein and by one who knows his subject well. Photogra- ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 217 phy is going to popularize the study of insects as we long ago predicted. Dr. Weed has done wonderfully well and deserves great credit for being one of the first in the photographic field. We have pointed out some poor results in photography simply that advancement may be made. We are firm believers in the method and don't expect perfection at once. We can illustrate where this book will find its utility. A gentleman came into the Academy and picking it up, opened it at pages 120 and 121. One page, 1 20, is a figure of a Luna moth, and on 121 a figure of a dragonfly. He asked if the moth changed (transformed) into the dragonfly.— H. S. THE INSECT BOOK. — We have received for review the kind of book we have hoped for and looked for these many years. It is also the book we shall recommend to the many students, teachers and young persons who so frequently come to us and ask, "What book can I get that will tell me what I wish to know about insects." No single work can cover such a vast field as that of Entomology, but the " Insect Book," by Dr. Howard, is the " open sesame" to further knowledge and lays the founda- tion and points out the way. The book is of the same size and general appearance as "Holland's Butterfly Book," and is a " Popular Account of the Bees, Wasps, Ants, Grasshoppers, Flies and other North Ameri- can Insects, exclusive of the Butterflies, Moths and Beetles, with full Life Histories, Tables and Bibliographies." By Leland O. Howard, Ph. D., Chief of the Division of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture. The publishers are Doubleday, Page & Co., 34 Union Square, New York. Sent postpaid to any address on approval. Price $3.00 net. The work contains 429 pages, including index and bibliography. There are 300 valuable text cuts, 16 full page plates in color and 32 in black and white. The plates as a whole are excellent, and demonstrate what the future holds in photographic methods. There is a lack of detail in some of the figures, and in some cases the colors are failures, especially in the metallic blues of the wings in the wasps which come out red. This is mentioned to call attention to the fact that the photographer, by careful study and use of the proper lenses, can do much better. We predict the day when any other method will be a thing of the past for any but very minute insects. Many of the figures are wonderfully beautiful, and we do not believe any artist, living or dead, could produce them as well. There is mechanical accuracy, exact reproduction of texture, faultless neuration and other good features. There are a few errors. The sexes of Mutilla occidentalis are incorrect, and the name of fig. 22, plate v, is wrong. The introduction is very thoughtful and suggestive, and the author says " if I had not thought it was needed I never should have written it." We can understand this feeling. Dr. Howard knows the importance of the study, and he takes this means of interesting people in it. The beginner is usually appalled by a dry scientific treatise, and the details that appeal to the devotee only discourage the person who at first only feels the poetry of nature, the 218 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, balmy air of Summer, the drone of the bee and the lazy sail of the grace- ful butterfly. A feature of the work is the full treatment of life-histories, so far as they are known. Attention is called to the lack of knowledge on this point in regard to so many species. Systematic work has ad- vanced to such a position that there will be more time to devote to biolo- gical studies, and the great awakening of interest in Entomology will in- duce more persons to take up the neglected aspects of the study. We do not believe any one in America was so well qualified to undertake such a work as Dr. Howard, and we do not see how the work could have been better done, considering the time devoted to its preparation and the diffi- culty of selecting subjects for treatment. Few people, not entomologists, realize the vastness of the study and the number of kinds of insects. We would like to go into detail in regard to the work, but space will not permit. The work is necessary in the library of every entomologist, and we can also say that we hope it may find its way into every home in America. — H. S. Notes and. News. ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE. ATTACHED to the bases of the under side of the tibiae of the first pair of legs of Platysamia cecropia £, we find a peculiar organ or process. It seems to be attached by a small joint, and the process points upward and outward. It is over an eighth inch in length and wing-shaped, the inner side being curved and the outer straight. It is a secondary male sexual character. What is it named and what is its function? — HENRY SKINNHK. THE advantages for the study of insects afforded by the Biological Laboratory of the Brooklyn Instute of Arts and Sciences, at Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island. — The region of Cold Spring Harbor affords re- markable facilities for the study of insects, owing to the great variety of the plants to be found there, and to the topographical features of the landscape. Large areas are covered with hard- wood forests, interspersed with iso- lated clusters of pine or other coniferous trees, and there are also wide open meadows in every state of preservation. Some covered with weeds and thistles, the favorite haunts of diurnal insects ; while others are grassy or partially covered with young trees, affording excellent feeding grounds for larvae. The region of Cold Spring Harbor is especially remarkable, however, for its variety of hill and valley, and for the abundance of fresh water streams and ponds, as well as salt and brackish marsh land Altogether a similar area containing greater varieties of envrionmental conditions could hardly be found. One may collect along the sandy, muddy or ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 2IQ rocky beaches, and in the course of a quarter of an hour thereafter, be in the midst of a landscape that, from its rich vegetation, suggests anything but the sea-shore. The insect fauna of the region is interesting, as it contains many of those forms which extend southward from colder regions and northward from the warm Southern States. The Biological Laboratory of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Scien- ces is situated on the shore of Cold Spring Harbor, and one of the chief objects of this Laboratory is to afford every possible facility for the study of land animals and plants. The opportunities for the study of insects will be especially good during the coming summer, for laboratory and lecture work upon the subject will be pursued, and every opportunity will be given for reseirch work upon this group, the study of which has already lead to the founding of such corollaries of the theory of natural selection as those of mimicry, protective resemblance and warning color- ation.— ALFRED G. MAYER. Doings of Societies. A meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social was held Wednesday evening, June 19, at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1523 S. i3th Street ; 12 members present. Visitor, Mr. H. Viereck. The Vice-Present, Mr. Charles Boerner, in the chair. Pro- fessor Smith exhibited specimens of CystcodcniHS annatits, collected in alcohol and pinned dry. Those that were collected in alcohol were black, like the specimens seen in most collec- tions, while those pinned dry were covered with an orange bloom. In speaking of the little knowledge we have of the desert fauna, Professor Smith mentioned a new species of Noctuid which he had received from that region which was entirely different from anything known, and read the follow- ing extracts from a letter he had received from a collector in that district : " From April 8th until June ist I travelled with pack animals through one of the most difficult, and I may say dangerous, desert regions in the United States. Men perish there almost every year for want of water, as there are many places of from twenty to fifty miles between waters, and in many cases the water is uncertain or very bad when you do get to it. 220 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, ' This being my first trip on this desert, my time has been taken up with hunting feed and water for the animals and camp use. On more than one occasion I dug for water in what we call tanks — that is a hole in the bed rock of a wash which retains water after rain. After working and shovelling for three or four hours I was fortunate to find water in most places, but sometimes only enough for the stock and three or four gallons to camp on over night, and a twenty-mile drive for water the next day. ' We (a part}7 of three) were looking for placer gold prin- cipally. Between hunting for gold and water and travelling I was so worn out that I did not capture as many moths as I should have done. ' The L/epidoptera and many of the Coleoptera are only found on the deserts during certain seasons. I find some species are confined to a small territory, while others are more widely distributed. I also find different species on different elevations. On this trip I have been from an altitude of 264 ft. below to 8,000 ft. above sea level. My present camp is about 7,500 ft. above, and is too cold for night flying moths here, as we have a little frost every night. Moths are only attracted to light here during the dark of the moon, as we have no cloudy nights." Professor Smith had sent some alcoholic specimens of mosquitoes to Mr. Johnson, who had determined them as sEdesfuscus, but later sending dry specimens to Mr. Johnson, he stated that they were probably a new species, which Mr. Henshaw corroborated. The maturing of these mosquitoes depends very much upon the location of the plants ; those in the shade taking longer than those in the sun, and the larval life seem to last from October to June, which is longer than in other species. Professor Smith thought that the species which breed in the pitcher plants and is only found there does not bite and has but one brood. Mr. Laurent exhibited a series of the eggs of J/ati/rs t't'/iifiosa and Tenodera sincnsis, which showed a variety of shapes. IQOl] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 221 Mr. Daecke spoke upon and exibited a Mantis which he- was trying to raise. Dr. Castle exhibited a box of Coleoptera which he had collected this Spring, among which was Dysphaga tennipes, taken at Angora, Pa., — a very rare species. Mr. Daecke mentioned finding the larva of Haploa Iccoutci which he had taken upon leaf buds of wild cherry at Laurel Springs, N. J., April 22, 1901. The larva changed into the pupa state May 5th and emerged June 5th. The food plant of this insect was not known before. Mr. Daecke also showed a new insect net which he had designed. Mr. Seiss mentioned dissecting a specimen of the common brown bat, whose stomach was full of mosquitoes. Mr. Wenzel exhibited a box of Lac/i- nostenia taken recently in New Jersey, about twenty species in all, some of which were very rare. Mr. Laurent spoke about the manner in which the broods of butterflies seem to overlap in Florida, and he thought there were more broods in the southern part than in the northern. Mr. Viereck reported finding Plcnoculus davisii at North Woodbury, New Jersey, as a species new to New Jersey. WM. R. REINICK, Secretary. A meeting of the Entomological Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia was held May 23d. Mr. Philip Laurent, Director, presiding. Thirteen persons were present. Mr. Rehn exhibited specimens of Mexican Locus- tidae belonging to the genus Stilpnochlora. Mr. Johnson ex- hibited a collection of European Diptera which he used for comparative study. Attention was drawn to the method of mounting on pith. Dr. Skinner exhibited egg masses of Man- tis rcligiosa which had been received from Prof. Slingerland. He also showed two species of Coleoptera reared from a book in the library of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. One species was Sitodrcpa panicca, and the other not deter- mined. Mr. Laurent made brief reference to his trip to Miami, Florida, and said he would have more to say about it when he had his material studied. He did not consider Miami a very good place to collect. Some rare species may be found, and, 222 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, perhaps, some that are new ; but he did not recommend it as a good place for the entomologist. Between February i5th and and May 4th there was but one good rain. Water was a very scarce commodity. He took between three and four thousand specimens. Nine species of Sphingidae were captured. HENRY SKINNER, Recorder. The seventeenth regular meeting of the Harris Club was held at 35 Court St., Boston, on the evening of May 17, 1901. Eighteen members were present. Mr. R. W. Denton showed a simple device for rearing Lepi- doptera. The larvae are kept in an ordinary lantern globe, across the lower part of which is fastened a piece of cardboard, perforated to allow stems of food-plants to pass through into a vesssel of water below. The upper aperture is covered by a bit of netting. Mr. W. D. Denton spoke of the advantages derived from dyeing butterfly nets green. Mr. Morse mentioned finding Tineidae breeding in great numbers in a box of dog biscuit. Mr. Bolster said that the ' ' buffalo bug' ' had been found to infest flour barrels. Several members joined in a discussion of methods of rearing the larvae of dragonflies in aquaria. Mr. Newcomb suggested the selection of a single genus for special consideration at each meeting. The plan was adopted, and the lepidopterous genus Colias chosen for the June pro- gram. Mr. W. D. Denton displayed some insects in "transparent mounts." Mr. J. H. Rogers, Jr., showed some recent cap- tures, and told of his discovery that young larvae of the Gypsy moth can live for more than a week without food. W. L. W. FIELD, Secretarv. OTTO LUGGER. Otto Lugger, State Entomologist of Minnesota, who died May 2ist, from pneumonia, after a very short illness, was one of the most widely known of the many Americans of German ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 223 birth who have obtained high scientific reputation in this country. He was born at Hagen, Westphalia, September 16, 1844. His father was a professor of chemistry in a Prussian university. Lugger was educated in Hagen, and in 1864 be- came a lieutenant of cavalry in the Prussian army. In 1865 he came with his parents to the United States and secured a position with the engineer corps of the army, and for two years was engaged in the survey of the Great Lakes. He had always been interested in entomology, and collected speci- mens while engaged in his engineering work. He became acquainted with the late C. V. Riley, who at that time was occupied in newspaper work in Chicago, and when, in 1868, Riley was appointed State Entomologist of Missouri, Lugger went with him as his assistant. During the years 1868 to 1875, when Riley established his great reputation as economic entomologist and published eight of the nine annual reports which brought him lasting fame, Lugger remained his quiet, unassuming, self-sacrificing and devoted helper. In 1875 he married Lina Krokmann and went to Baltimore, where he became the curator of the Maryland Academy of Sciences and naturalist of the city parks. In 1885 he was appointed assistant in the Division of Entomology of the U. S. Depart- ment of Agriculture, remaining in Washington until 1888, when he was appointed entomologist to the State Agricultural Experiment Station of Minnesota, publishing his first bulletin in this new office July 3, 1888. His first entomological experience in the State of Minnesota was one of great interest and importance, and his vigorous and intelligent action in the face of a great emergency fixed his standing as a most useful officer firmly in the minds of the Minnesota farmers. An enormous swarm of the Rocky Moun- tain locust or western migratory grasshopper had settled down in Ottertail County. By Lugger's advice and energetic field work, backed as he was by a public spirited and intelligent Governor (Hon. W. R. Merriam, now director of the U. S. Census), who personally guaranteed the funds necessary for the campaign, the hordes of destructive insects were annihi- lated and great damage was averted. 224 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September, From that time to the time of his death, nearly thirteen years, Lugger's work was most active ; his publications were frequent, and he gained the profound respect of his constitu- ents and of the scientific men of the country. His bibliog- raphy, covering about thirty titles of record, comprises almost exclusively articles on economic entomology, but he was by no means a one-sided naturalist. He was a good botanist and published several papers concerning plant diseases, notably his article on the black rust or summer rust (Bulletin 64, Univ. Minn. Agric. Exp. Station). Some years ago he began the publication of a series of large papers, which, when brought together, would have formed an elaborate treatise on the entomology of Minnesota. The parts which had been published were an extensive paper on the parasites of man and domestic animals (Bull. 48, 1896, Minn. Agric. Exp. vSta. , pp. 72-270, figs. 187, plates 16) ; the Or- thoptera of Minnesota (Bull. 55, 1897, PP- 9J-3S6, figs. 187) ; the Lepidoptera of Minnesota (Bull. 61, 1898, pp. 55-334, figs. 237, plates 24) ; the Coleoptera of Minnesota (Bull. 66, 1899, pp. 85-331, figs. 249, plates 6), and the Hemiptera of Minne- sota (Bull. 69, 1900, pp. 1-259, fi»s- 200> plates 15). It is a great pity that Lugger did not live to complete this series, since the elaborate numbers were profusely illustrated, and were prepared with great care and written in a most interest- ing style. At the time of his death he was preparing the part on Diptera, in which he intended possibly to include the Neu- ropteroids. It is greatly to be hoped that his manuscript was sufficiently advanced to permit its publication. Aside from his scientific ability, Lugger was a man of admi- rable qualities. His wide information, his agreeable person- ality and his keen sense of humor made him one of the most delightful companions I have ever known. Many of his stories and humorous sayings are current among entomologists all over the United States, and his loss will be felt for many years to come. He leaves a widow and two children — a daugh- ter, Mrs. Linnea Clarke and a son, Humboldt Lugger, the latter now living in Kentucky. — L. O. HOWARD, in Scictnr, N. S., Vol. XIII, No. 338. ENT. NEWS, Vol. XII. PI. IX. LOUIS SCHNEIDER. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. VOL. XII. OCTOBER, 1901. No. 8. CONTENTS: Newcomb — Chionobas Katabdin 225 King — The Greenhouse Coccidae, 1 231 Fox — Letters from Thomas Say to John F. Melsheimer, 1816-1825.— VI, VII 233 Slosson — A Successful Failure 236 Harvey — Contributions to the Odonata of Maine, IV (continued) 239 Burrison — Buttetflies from the Yellow- stone National Park 244 F.diiorial 245 Entomological Literature 246 Economic Entomology 251 Doings of Societies 253 Chionobas Katahdin AND AN ACCOUNT OF ITS DISCOVERY. BY H. H. NEWCOMB. Chionobas katalldin n. sp. Male. — Expanse 1.90 inches Body dark brown. Antennae dark, ringed with yellow ; club lighter ; upper side : wings thinly scaled, of a dusky brown color, except the outer third, which is suffused with yellowish brown. The outer edge of both wings is clearly defined by a distinct black line, outside of which there is a fringe of fine hairs of a light brownish shade, except opposite the end of each vein, where they are nearly black. The primaries have a small dark spot finely pupilled with white near the apex, though occasional speci- mens have three or four spots, while in rare cases there is an entire absence of maculation. The dark sexual dash usual in this genus is fairly prominent. On the underside the primaries are much the same as above except that they are somewhat paler, and at the apex and along the costa there is a thick sprinkling of dark scales. The inferiors beneath are strongly marked and have a dark irregular band extending across the middle third of the wing, bounded on each side by a black line varying in width, outside of which is a band of gray, becoming darker as it ex- tends outward toward the edge, the whole wing being strongly mottled. Female. — Expanse 2 inches. Markings much the same as in the male, except that the yellowish brown of the outer third of the wings is more 8 226 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October, pronounced, and there are usually two or three spots on the upper side of the primaries, though these may vary from i to 4. On the inferiors beneath there is a row of five white dots parallel to the outer edge of the wing. Hab. — Mt. Katahdin, Maine, at an elevation of 4250 to 5000 ft. above the sea-level. Described from forty-three males and twenty females taken by the writer at the above locality in the latter part of June of this year. Owring to the accuracy of the figures on the plate a more lengthy description seems unnecessar)r. In general appear- ance C. katahdin somewhat resembles C. crambis Freyer. On the upper side it is perhaps as near C. polixenes Fabricius as any other butterfly of this genus, while on the underside the wide band on the inferiors is much the same as in C. taygete Hubner. In the plate the two upper and the two lower figures represent the most constant forms of male and female, while the central figures represent the extreme variations. An account of the trip which resulted in the discovery of this new species would not be out of place at the present time. The idea was first suggested by Mr. P. G. Bolster, vice- president of the Harris Club, that Mt. Katahdin might be a productive field for an Entomologist. This is a locality that seems to have been neglected in the past, probably on account of its inaccessibility. Mt. Katahdin rises out of the pine for- ests of northern Maine to a height of over 5000 ft. Its vast bulk is between seven and eight miles in length. I cannot do better than to quote from Mr. Churchill's* article in Rhodora for June. He says : ' Mt. Katahdin is still surrounded by an immense wilderness, traversed only by lakes and rivers and by roads or trails, which in summer, at least, are too rough to attract the tourist ; and Mr. Hamlin's observations are true to-day that ' the mountain is so inaccessible that practically it is remote even to New Englanders. ' It is over one hundred * Mr. Jos. R. Churchill was one of a party of five botanists who ascended the mountain in July, 1900, the others being Dr. George G. Kennedy, Merritt L. Fernald, Emile F. Williams and J. Franklin Collins, all of Massachusetts. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 22y miles north of Bangor and some thirty-six miles from the nearest railway. Under promise of good trout fishing we induced two pisca- torially inclined friends, Messrs. W. F. Lamont and J. \V. Gough, to make up our little party of four, all of us near neighbors in Boston, which met at Bangor on the morning of June 24th, and took the train for Staceyville, one hundred miles to the north. L,ittle did we reckon on the hardships in store for us ; the weary miles of walking over the worst roads on earth, the struggle through the virgin forest with forty pounds of luggage apiece on our backs, and last but not least the daily conflict with black-flies, whose bites mixed with sun- burn makes a combination never to be forgotten. Leaving Staceyville at noon with our baggage piled high on a buckboard drawn by two stout horses, we plunged into the forest. The weather was cloudy with a tendency to rain, but about four o'clock the sun came out just as we reached a clear- ing in the woods. Here, while the horses were having a short rest, I began my first collecting, taking A. atlaiitis, P. uvctcis, M. harrisii and L. arthcmis, besides others of less account. We passed that night in a comfortable camp at a place called ' Lunksoos, ' ' on the east branch of the Penobscot River. This camp, which is a substantial two-story log-house, is run by Mr. and Mrs. " Ed " Rogers ; and it was here we were joined by Percy Hussey who was to be our guide for the next two weeks while we were in the wilderness. We had accomplished about eight miles the first day. The next morning bright and early we resumed our journey. A log-jam in the river caused some delay, but finally we got across on the ferry. This latter is a flat old "scow," sunk almost to the water's edge ; but in spite of its looks, it proved able to float the whole outfit, horses, buckboard and all acn>s> the river. The "tote-road" lies along the western bank of the Wissataquoik River, through an open and rather barren country caused by numerous forest fires. The collecting was fair, but as we kept pushing on as fast as possible there was not an over abundance of time to spare, We walked most of the time, the roads being too rough to permit of riding on the buckboard with any degree of comfort. 228 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October, L. arthcmis was extremely plentiful. It was a common occurrence to take two or three at a time, and once I counted sixteen in a space not larger than a man's hand. Besides getting a good supply of these, I took P. oleracea and C. man- dan, as well as duplicates of some of those netted the first day. At dusk we reached City Camp, a collection of log houses used by lumbermen in the winter time, having scored sixteen more miles on our second day. After a hearty supper, which in- cluded a fine mess of trout caught by our fishermen, we ' ' turned in ' ' on the hard floor, rolled up in our blankets. By noon the next day we made ' ' McLeod ' Camp, having placeed 5^ miles more to our credit. Now commenced the hardest part of our journey. The buckboark could proceed no further, so our food, blankets and such articles of clothing as we considered indispensable were packed on one of the horses. A hard climb of about two miles brought us to the limit of travel for even a horse, with three more miles yet to do before we should reach Camp Kennedy in the great South Basin of Mt. Katahclin. These last miles were along a trail, which we followed by the blaze-marks on the trees, over rocks and stumps and moss-covered pit- falls which lined the way. The heat was most oppressive, yet we had to stumble along as best we could, carrying our goods ourselves, urged on by the ever-increasing viciousness of the black-flies. We finally staggered into camp about seven o'clock, nearly "done up." And what a discouraging sight met our gaze ! The roof had collapsed, and the rains and snows had played havoc with the interior — in fact it was so far destroyed that we could not use it at all, but were obliged to build a " lean-to" in which to sleep ; and when, after about two hours' wyork, we lay down on our aromatic beds of fresh fir boughs, we needed no lullaby other than the murmur of a distant mountain torrent to induce that refreshing slumber that comes after a hard day's tramp in the woods. We were now in a great basin or amphitheatre, some two miles long by one in width, at an elevation of about 3000 ft. above the sea-level, heavily wooded and surrounded on all sides but the east by the precipitious walls of Mt. Katahclin, whose granite peaks towered over 2000 ft. above us. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 22Q The next day, Thursday, we were too tired to attempt the top, so we contented ourselves with an exploring expedition to the "Chimney." This is a deep crevice between ' Po- mola ' (as the southeastern slope is called ) and the main part of the mountain. Here we found snow-fields, some of them 200 ft. in extent, and while our friends at home were in the grasp of a hot wave we were indulging in a game of snow- ball. Hardly any insects were seen this day except a few Coleoptera and Hymenoptera, which were promptly turned over to Bolster, whose collecting is confined to these twro orders. Friday dawned with a promise of a fair day, so we decided to climb the mountain. We pushed our way through the forest for about a mile, following the bed of a mountain brook, dry at this season of the year, until we arrived at the foot of a great land slide a thousand feet in length and rising at an angle of from fifty to sixty degrees. Up this we climbed, stopping often to rest and breathe, until we reached the table-land. This is a vast area of over a hundred acres, at an elevation of about 4250 ft., rising gradually towards the North Peak on the right and the West Peak on the left, and perhaps three-fourths of a mile in width. It is covered for the most part with vegetation, though there are a great many loose rocks and boulders scattered about. Mountain hemlock, low and scrubby, grows over about two-thirds of it, while the rest is carpeted with sedge, mountain cranberry, crowberry and moss. Just before we reached the table-land the clouds had enveloped the wyhole top of the mountains ; therefore we were able to explore but a small portion. Several times, however, the sun made ineffectual attempts to shine through the dense fog ; and then it was that we beheld Chionobas katahdin, a small brown creature fluttering close to the ground. By dint of perseverance I managed to capture eleven of these butter- flies before descending the slide. I did not realize that I had discovered a new species, but thought it might be a variety of C. scni idea, which is found under similar conditions on Mt. Washington, 161 miles to the southwest ; and it was not until I had submitted specimens to Dr. Skinner and other Entomo- logists, that I felt sure that I had been so fortunate. 230 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October, Saturday, the 29th, proved to be the best day of all. Leav- ing the two fishermen to tend camp, Bolster and I, together with the tireless " Percy," made the ascent of the West Peak, the highest point of Mt. Katahdin, estimated to be 5215 ft. above the sea. At the summit were three cairns which liter- ally swarmed with insects, blown up from below. Bolster fairly revelled in them, bottling them by the score. As I am only interested in Lepidoptera, I must leave it to him to tell the readers of the NEWS about his captures. I returned to the table-land and devoted the day to C. katahdin, taking in all forty-nine specimens ; but I found it no easy matter to net them, as they are very wary, and as soon as they take wing the wind, which is always blowing a small-sized gale up there, carries them far away. When at rest on the ground with their wings closed, it is almost .impossible to distinguish them from the moss ; the coloring of the underside of the wings being so similar that the mimicry is nearly perfect. Rain in this region is a daily occurrence, and this day proved no exception, con- sequently we forced to return early in the afternoon. Our provisions were getting low, so L/amont and Gough started back for City Camp on Sunday morning ; and as Bolster was somewhat under the weather, I was left to go up the mountain alone. My trip was not very successful, as the wind was so strong ( I could hardly stand up against it) that on my return I had but three specimens of katahdin as the net result of a day's hard work. There is no need to worry about this little colony of butterflies becoming exterminated by collectors. The trip is too difficult and expensive to tempt many Lepidop- terists ; and after arriving on the ground the weather condi- tions are too uncertain to guarantee success. There are days at a time when the clouds are so dense over the mountain that ascent is impossible, and then one cannot get a third of the butterflies he sees, they are so quick to take alarm and be carried out of reach by the breeze. I consider that I was par- ticularly fortunate to go on the mountain at just the right time and be favored with weather that made collecting possible. Moths were not plentiful at any stage of our journey, and space will not permit of a list with this account. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 231 The return journey was made without especial interest. " Emerson," our driver, met us promptly with the buckboard ; and what with fishing and " butterflying " the journey seemed short indeed. I added some good specimens of D. portlandia to my captures, besides many more common " flys." In all we were gone fifteen days from Boston, and were glad to get back to civilization and away from the black-flies, and sleep once more in a real bed. In conclusion I wish to thank Mr. Emile F. Williams for much valuable information, the result of his trip to Mt Katah- din in 1900, and Dr. Henry Skinner for his kindness in helping me to determine that I had a new species in Chionobas katalidin. The Greenhouse Coccidae, I. By GEO. B. KING, Lawrence, Mass. The introduction of scale insects by the means of man, that is to say by the importation of greenhouse plants, seems to be increasing yearly, and a list of such species as have already been recorded or known to infest greenhouses I have thought should be brought together and published for the benefit of Economic Entomologists and Horticulturists. My residence in a city where there is no library treating upon or in any way assisting one in Entomological research work has compelled me to depend upon my own private library. It should therefore be clearly understood that the following list of greenhouse coccids is far from being complete ; and it is to be hoped that more interest will be taken in this very important branch of Economic Entomology. Any information concerning these pests in greenhouses will be thankfully received by me, and due credit given. Prof. Cockerell some two or three years ago kindly sent me a list of greenhouse coccids recorded by Signo- ret to inhabit greenhouses in Europe. The number of species given was 45. We now know of 64, and of this number only one species as yet can be called a native of this country ; several scales have been described from greenhouses in America, whose nativity are unknown at present. It may be that ri Pack, is a native species, and we do know 232 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October, that Eriococcus azalea Comst. is native beyond all doubt. No less than 26 species have been found in greenhouses in Massa- chusetts alone. The species already recorded by Signoret to inhabit greenhouses in Europe and which are now found in North America are designated in italics — Signoret. MONOPHLKBIN^:. 1. Icerya purchasi Mask, 1878. So far as I know, this coccid has been found but once, and in a greenhouse at Cambridge, Mass. ; found there by Dr. Hagen. This is a very common species living out of doors in California. PORPHYROPHORIN^. 2. Conchaspis angraeci Ckll. C. rodriguezice Newst. is the same. Described as a Pscud- inglisia. Found in greenhouses in England (Newstead). COCCIN^E. 3. Eriococcus coccineus Ckll. Originally described fron a greenhouse in Nebraska, on a rat- tail cactus (Cockerell). 4. Eriococcus azalea? Comst., 1881. Originally described from one of the U. S. department green- houses at Washington, D. C. on Azalea (Comstock), and since then, found on Azalea in the College greenhouse at Michigan (G. C. Davis), and have been found living out of doors on Azalea mtdi flora at Ithica, N. Y. (Comstock), and on white thorn (Cratccgns cocdnea) in deep woods at Methuen, Mass. (King). 5. Dactylopius citri Risso., 1813. First described from greenhouses in Europe, is now found on Croton fern, Arabian and Libcrian ft^r- plants in the U. S. department greenhouses at Washington, D. C. (Comstock), on Habrothommis and Solanuin jasinoides in the College green- house at Colorado (Baker), on orange, coffee, tobacco, Croton, Ipomca, Lean/, Habrot/io/nni/s, Picon ia and Solamtm jaswoidcs at Florida ( Gossard), on greenhouse plants at Santa Fe, N. M. (Cockerell), on Coleus, Cactus, Geranium and ivy at L/awrence, 1901] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 233 Mass. (King), and on Callistemon lanceolatus at Cambridge, Mass. (King). 6. Dactylopius longispinus Targ. On ferns and several other plants in the U. S. department greenhouses at Washington, D. C. fComstock), on ferns and other plants in New Mexico ( Cockerell) ; also in greenhouses in Ohio, on Cycas rcvoluta in the Springfield Natural History Museum, Mass. (Dimmock), on palms, Colcus and fern at Lawrence, Mass. (King), in greenhouses in Europe. Signoret. 7. Dactylopius pseudonipae Ckll., 1897. Described from specimens found on leaves of palms in a California greenhouse. Previously found in a Michigan green- house and published as D. nipcc Mark. (Ckll. and Perg.) ; also on palms at Lawrence, Mass. (King). «S. Dactylopius nipae Mask. Found in the tropical greenhouse of the Harvard Botanical gardens, Cambridge, Mass., food plant unknown (King). This is a very common species living out of doors in Europe. 9. Dactylopius vitis Newst. This is very destructive to greenhouse plants in England. Cited sometimes as Coccus vitis. (To be continued.) Letters from Thomas Say to John F. Melsheimer, 1816-1825.— VI, VII. Washington, Dec1.' 12^ 1817. My dear Sir. Since I had the pleasure to see you I continued my walk to Baltimore & thence by the steamboat conveyance to Philad? , without the occurence of any incident worthy of note — After myarrival in Philad? Mr MS Clure,1 (of whom I spoke to you, when I was at your home) invited me to accompany him on a journey to Florida, this invitation you may be sure I thank- fully accepted, so that here we are thus far upon our journey to that promised land, not flowing with milk & honey it is true, but abounding in insects &c which are unknown, »X: if 1 See proper spelling in next letter. 234 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October, they remain unknown I am determined it shall not be my fault ; I received from Mr Oemler of Savannah a box of insects for you, & also one for myself which contained Diptera & Hemiptera — he requested me to open your box to observe their condition & to note such of them as I would wish him to send to me — In your box was a few of the larva of the Anth- renus, but little injury however appears to have been done ; in my box was at least twenty of these intruders & many insects were completely destroyed — I brought 3rour box upon my lap with care to your friend in Baltimore together with MT. Oemler's letter to you, also the four first & seventh numbers of our Jour- nal,'- and the first number of my American Entomology all which I hope may reach you in safety & meet your approba- tion— Any letters &c you may send for me will be perfectly safe in Philadelphia untill my return With the most sincere respect & esteem I remain your Obdt Serv1. Thomas Say— Philad* June ioth 1818 Dear Sir- After a considerable interval occasioned by absence from this country, I once more have the pleasure to address my friend- In my last letter I informed you that I was about setting off upon a journey into Florida in pursuit of objects of Natural History. This has been accomplished — I accompanied the presi- dent of our Academy Mr W1." Maclure (a gentleman well known in Europe & America for Science & beneficence) in his Carriage by easy journies as far as Charleston ; we then took the Steam boat to Savannah, & sent on the carriage by land. At Savannah we met our companions MessrT Ord & Peale who had arrived a day or two before us from Philad? by sea. Here the Carriage & Horses were sold & we Chartered a sloop of about thirty tons burden & after laying in our stores & necessarys we com- menced our voyage toward the promised land — we stopped at each of the Sea Islands in order to examine their productions and the sea Coast for Crustacea, Molusca &c — took in another 2 Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 1901] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 235 supply of provisions &c at St. Marys and then continued our voyage to the St. Juan — This noble river we ascended as far as Picolata, an old Spanish fortress, now in ruins, about 100 miles from its mouth, stopping occasionally at such places as presented an inviting aspect & making short excursions into the country on each side of the river — From Picolata we crossed the country on foot to St. Augustine in order to present our pass- ports to the Governor of the Province and to obtain from him such information as might direct our further progress with the greatest probability of success — From him we learned that on account of the hostility of the Indians, it would be the extreme of imprudence to venture any further up the river, but that in the present state of things we would be more safe in exploring the more southern rivers & coast, such as Mosquitto river